Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Cinnamomum Sp. Essential Oil and Cinnamaldehyde: Antimicrobial Activities

Abstract

To assess the activities of essential oils derived from the trunk bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (EOCz) and Cinnamomum cassia (EOCc) as well as cinnamaldehyde on bacterial biofilms of clinical interest. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by the broth microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Antibiofilm activity was assessed by quantifying the biomass and determining the number of viable cells. The chemical composition of the essential oils was determined. The results showed that the major component of EOCz and EOCc was cinnamaldehyde. For the assayed substances, biofilm biomasses were reduced by up to 99.9%, and Streptococcus pyogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli biofilms were sensitive to all of the concentrations and substances analysed. In cell viability tests, 2 mg/ml of cinnamaldehyde reduced the number of viable cells by 5.74 Log CFU/ml. EOCz, EOCc, and cinnamaldehyde exhibited antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. This work describes substances with potential use against infections caused by bacterial biofilms.

1. Introduction

Biofilms are organized groups of microorganisms that live inside an extracellular polymer matrix that is self-sustaining and can adhere to various surfaces [1], biotic and abiotic [2]. Biofilms are often observed floating or submerged in liquids [3] and can be composed of homogeneous or heterogeneous communities of bacteria within a polymer matrix, which is primarily composed OF polysaccharides as well as other biomolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids [2]. Analyses of the polymer matrix have revealed that biofilms are hydrogels that exhibit viscoelastic behavior, allowing them to resist mechanical stresses [4].

Many biofilms are present in a variety of microbial infections, including dental infections [5]; periodontitis [6]; lung infections resulting from cystic fibrosis and facial filling [7]; chronic wounds [8]; ear inflammation [9]; implant-associate infections [10]; chronic rhinosinusitis [11]; contamination in intensive care units (ICU) [12]; contact lens infections [13]; and human gastrointestinal tract infections [14]. Studies have shown that S. aureus is the second most prevalent pathogen in ICUs [15] and often causes infections in women, with biofilms formed by this microorganism causing complications in urinary infection treatments [16].

Biofilms protect microorganisms from external aggression and predator attacks [17], and some populations of biofilm-associated bacteria are resistant to antibiotics [5]. Thus, the increased resistance of bacterial biofilms to antibiotics is problematic for the use of antimicrobial drugs [18], driving the search for alternative medicinal plants that can be used to treat diseases [19]. In particular, it is necessary to identify new drugs that can serve as an alternative treatment of infections caused by microorganisms that are resistant to traditional therapies. One approach is the study of local medicinal plants with possible antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties.

Essential oils, which are natural products obtained from plants, contain volatile organic compounds that can be obtained from various parts of the plant, such as flowers, fruits, seeds, stems, AND roots [20]. These oils have demonstrated antioxidant, insecticidal, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antibiofilm activities [21–23]. Among essential oils of botanical origin that have antimicrobial potential are those obtained from plant species of the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae), such as C. zeylanicum and C. cassia.

C. zeylanicum is native to some regions of India and Ceylon; thus, it is known as “cinnamon-of-ceylon” [24]. This species has been used in folk medicine due to its many medicinal properties, including its activities as astringent, aphrodisiac, antiseptic, aperitif, aromatic, carminative, digestive, stimulant, hypertensive, sedative, tonic and vasodilator [25], antidiabetic, antinociceptive, astringent, and diuretic [26]. From the different parts of the plant, essential oils with various chemical compositions can be obtained, and essential oil from the stem bark contains up to 4% oil consisting of (E)-cinnamaldehyde (65-78%) and eugenol (4-10%), accompanied by low percentages of cinnamyl acetate, methyl-n-amyl-ketone, and mono- and sesquiterpenoids [27].

C. cassia, popularly known as “cinnamon-china”, is a perennial tree native to southern China and is widely cultivated in southern and eastern Asia (Taiwan, Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia) [28]. C. cassia is used in Western medicine, primarily in the treatment of diarrhoea, flatulent dyspepsia, cramps, colds, flu, cough, bronchitis, lack of appetite, renal weakness, arthritic angina, palpitations, spasms, vomiting, gastric ulcers, digestive complaints, and bacterial and fungal infections of the skin [29]. The trunk bark contains at least 1.0% essential oil, consisting of 70 to 90% (E)-cinnamaldehyde [30]. In addition, a study also reported that the essential oil of this species has antifungal activity against Candida albicans [31].

(E)-Cinnamaldehyde, the most abundant component of the essential oils of the Cinnamomum species mentioned, is a phenylpropanoid that has proven activity against microorganisms [32]. Due to this already proven antimicrobial action, this work aimed to verify the action of essential oils and cinnamaldehyde against microbial biofilms of clinical interest.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Essential Oil

Two 10 ml units of essential oils, extracted from C. cassia and C. zeylanicum trunk bark by steam distillation, were purchased from Lazlo® (Belo Horizonte, MG), and (E)-cinnamaldehyde was purchased from Sigma-Aldrich®.

2.2. Chemical Analysis of Essential Oils

The chemical compositions of the essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) using a Shimadzu QP2010 Plus chromatograph with helium (He) as the carrier gas and a FactorFour/VF-5 ms capillary column (30 m long, 0.25 mm internal diameter, and 0.25 mm film thickness). The carrier gas was used at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The initial oven temperature was 60°C, followed by constant heating for 2 min, and was increased 2°C per minute to 110°C, 3°C per minute to 150°C, and 15°C per minute to 290°C, with a final isotherm of 290°C for 17 minutes. The temperatures of the injector and detector were, respectively, set at 250°C and 310°C. The injection mode was split and the injection volume used was 1 μl. The mass spectra were produced by electron impact (70 eV).

Quantitative analyses of the chemical compositions of the essential oils were performed on a gas chromatograph coupled to an HP5890 Series II ionization detector (GC-FID), using the same operating conditions and the same column type as was used in the GC/MS analysis, except the temperatures of the injector and detector which were set at 220°C and 250°C, respectively.

The percentage of each constituent was calculated by the integral of the area of the respective peaks in relation to the total area of all constituents of the sample. The various constituents of the essential oil were identified by visual comparison of their mass spectra with those previously published and with standards from the Nist08 library on the instrument, as well as by comparing retention indices with those previously published. A standard solution of n-alkanes (C8-C20) was injected under the same chromatographic conditions of the sample and used to obtain the retention indices [33].

2.3. Substances and Preparation of Solutions

The substances used in the tests were included the essential oils from the trunk bark of C. cassia and C. zeylanicum, cinnamaldehyde, and oxacillin as a positive control. Calculations for the preparation of the solutions containing the oils and cinnamaldehyde were performed on the basis of the density of the substances and, to facilitate solubilization, 2% Tween 20 was used. All solutions were prepared at an initial concentration of 4 mg/ml and, after being diluted in broth, the resulting concentrations ranged from 2 to 0.01 mg/ml for all substances.

2.4. Bacterial Strains and Culture Conditions

The bacteria used in this study were included S. aureus ATCC6538, S. epidermidis ATCC12228, S. pyogenes ATCC19615, P. aeruginosa ATCC15442, and E. coli ATCC11303. The strains were maintained in BHI (Brain Heart Infusion-Difco®) + glycerol (20%) at -80°C. To perform the experiments, a 100 μl aliquot was inoculated onto TSA medium (Trypticase Soy Agar-Difco®) and grown in a greenhouse at 37°C for 24 h. After this initial growth, a 100 μl inoculum was subcultured into 10 ml of TSB (Trypticase Soy Broth- Difco®) and grown for 18 h under the same conditions described above. In the antimicrobial activity assays, the cultures were washed with Mili-Rios water and their concentrations were adjusted to 10⁷-10⁸ CFU/ml using a microplate reader (SpectraMax i3 Multi-Mode Microplate Reader®) at 620 nm.

2.5. Antimicrobial Activity

2.5.1. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration

The antimicrobial activity of the Cinnamomum stem essential oils against the five bacterial strains in their planktonic forms was tested by the microdilution method in polystyrene plates. The minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by the microdilution technique in 96-well polystyrene plates. For the assembly of the plates, 100 μl of the essential oil solutions was serially diluted in culture medium, with the final concentrations varying from 2.00 to 0.01 mg/ml. Next, 100 μl of culture medium containing the microorganisms was added at the adjusted concentration of 10⁷-10⁸ CFU/ml as described above. The negative control consisted of growing the microorganisms in TSB culture medium with 2% Tween 20. The MIC was considered the lowest concentration of the substances at which no growth of the microorganisms was detected [34].

2.5.2. Minimum Bactericidal Concentration

The minimum bactericidal concentration was determined by withdrawing a 10 μl aliquot of the bacterial suspensions at concentrations where no visual growth of the microorganisms was observed. The aliquot was inoculated into Petri dishes containing TSA and incubated in an oven at 37°C, in triplicate, with bacterial growth observed after 24 h [34].

2.6. Antibiofilm Activity

2.6.1. Quantification of Biofilm Biomass

The plates were assembled in a process similar to the MIC test, and after 24 h the antibiofilm activity was assessed through the methods mentioned and described below. After 24 h incubation, the plates were washed with sterile water (200 μl/well) to remove the loosely adhered and air-dried cells. The adhered cells of the biofilm were fixed in the plate wells by addition of 200 μl of methanol for 15 min. Afterwards, the methanol was removed and 200 μl of a 1% violet crystal solution was added for 15 min. Subsequently, the plates were washed and air dried again, after which 200 μl of ethanol (96%) was added to each well which were left shaking for 5 min and then read on a microplate reader at 595 nm [35].

2.6.2. Verification of Cell Viability in the Biofilm

After the incubation period, the culture medium was removed and the plates were subjected to three washes with distilled water. Next, 200 μl of a 0.9% saline solution was aliquoted into the wells, and the plate was incubated in a sonic bath (LK-D32 Ultrasonic Bath) operating at 50 kHz for 10 min. The liquid from the wells for each concentration teste was pooled to bring the volume to 1 ml, after which a 20 μl aliquot was withdrawn and subjected to serial dilution in 180 μl volumes of 0.85% saline solution (10⁻¹ to 10⁻⁷). In a Petri dish containing TSA, three 10 μl aliquots were cultured for each concentration. These plates were incubated for 24 h at 37°C, after which the resulting colonies were counted [35].

2.7. Statistical Analysis

Statistical evaluation of the data was performed with the program GraphPad®, San Diego California, USA, version 5.0. The statistical test used was ANOVA for multiple comparisons, followed by the Bonferroni test. Values of p <0.01 were considered statistically significant and are indicated by an asterisk. Each MIC experiment and indirect biofilm biomass quantification was performed with five replicates, and the CBM tests and CFU counts were performed using three replicates. All tests were performed in three independent experiments.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Chemical Composition of Essential Oils

The analysis of the chemical composition of the essential oils showed their chemical constituents and the percentage composition of the essential oils. According to the data presented in Table 1, the EOCz contained 31 compounds, among which (E)-cinnamaldehyde, cinnamoyl (E)-acetate, and eugenol were found in the highest percentages (68.7, 71.2, and 6.33%, respectively). In the EOCc, 18 substances were detected, with the major component being (E)-cinnamaldehyde, corresponding to 90.22% of the total components. The chromatograms are in Figures 1 and 2.

Table 1.

Chemical composition, retention index experimental (RIExp), retention index of the literature (RILit), and percentage of the identified components (%) from the essential oils of C. zeylanicum (EOCz) and C. cassia (EOCc) stems.

Compounds	R I Exp	R I Lit	EOCz	EOCc
α-Thujene	920	930	0.08	-a
α-Pinene	926	939	0.48	-
Camphene	938	954	0.21	-
Benzaldehyde	948	960	0.20	1.86
β-Pinene	956	979	0.16	-
α-Phellandrene	973	1002	0.45	-
Z-β-Ocimene	979	1037	0.35	-
p-Cimene	984	1024	0.98	-
Limonene	986	1029	0.34	-
1,8-Cineole	988	1031	2.44	-
Salicylaldehyde	997	1044	-	0.53
E-β-Ocimene	1010	1050	0.08	-
Acetophenone	1035	1065	0.32	-
Terpinolene	1075	1088	0.07	-
Linalool	1104	1096	4.23	-
Phenyl ethyl alcohol	1121	1107	-	0.18
Coahuilensol	1171	1170	0.20	0.98
4-Terpineol	1187	1177	0.27	-
α-Terpineol	1200	1188	0.32	-
Z-Cinnamaldehyde	1228	1219	0.35	-
Hydrocinnamic alcohol	1239	1224	0.09	-
E-Cinnamaldehyde	1293	1270	68.71	90.22
Safrole	1298	1287	0.08	-
E-Cinnamyl alcohol	1316	1304	0.31	0.31
Eugenol	1363	1356	6.33	-
α-Copaene	1381	1376	1.82	0.32
E-Caryophyllene	1426	1419	1.85	-
Cumarin	1454	1434	-	1.37
E-Cinnamoyl acetate	1456	1446	7.12	2.04
α-Humulene	1463	1454	0.37	-
γ-Muurolene	1481	1479	-	0.15
Ar-Curcumene	1486	1480	-	0.07
α-Muurolene	1504	1500	-	0.10
β-Bisabolene	1512	1505	-	0.23
δ-Amorphene	1521	1512	0.09	0.12
Eugenyl acetate	1524	1522	0.32	-
E-Methoxi-cinnamaldehyde	1541	1528	-	0.73
E-Nerolidol	1566	1563	-	0.21
Caryophyllene oxide	1591	1583	0.24	0.11
Tetradecanal	1618	1612	-	0.09
Benzoyl benzoate	1779	1760	0.99	-
Total			99.85	99.62

^aNot detected.

Figure 1.

GC-MS chromatogram analysis C. zeylanicum essential oil stems (EOCz).

Figure 2.

GC-MS chromatogram analysis C. cassia essential oil stems (EOCc).

A study carried out in Iran using C. zeylanicum stalks extracted by hydrodistillation revealed the presence of 17 compounds in the extracted essential oil. The major groups of compounds were monoterpene hydrocarbons and phenolic compounds. Cinnamaldehyde (80.42%), α-copaene (2.73%) and trans-calamenene (2.16%) were the primary chemical constituents of the oil. Other components analysed in the oil were present at amounts below 2% [36].

In a study to evaluate the chemical composition of the essential oil of C. cassia bark obtained from the lower part of the stems at eight growth stages, most of the identified compounds observed belonged to the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon and oxygenated sesquiterpene fractions at all stages. The major component identified was (E)-cinnamaldehyde [37].

The factors that determine the yield and composition of the essential oils are numerous. In some cases, it is difficult to isolate these factors from each other as they are interrelated and influence each other. These parameters include seasonal variations, the organ of the plant used, and the maturity of the plant, as well as its geographic origin and genetics [38].

3.2. Antimicrobial Activity of C. zeylanicum and C. cassia Bark Essential Oils and (E)-Cinnamaldehyde on Bacteria

Essential oils and (E)-cinnamaldehyde inhibited the growth of all bacteria assayed in this study in planktonic form, the antimicrobial activity data for which are shown in Table 2.

Table 2.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of essential oils from C. zeylanicum and C. cassia stems, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and oxacillin (mg/ml) on bacteria.

Microorganisms	EOCz		EOCc		(E)-Cinnamaldehyde		Oxacillin
	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC	MIC	MBC
S. aureus	0.50	0.50	0.25	1.00	0.25	0.50	-	-
S. epidermidis	0.50	1.00	0.25	1.00	0.25	1.00	-	-
S. pyogenes	0.50	-	0.50	-	0.50	-	-	-
P. aeruginosa	0.50	-	0.50	-	0.50	-	-	-
E. coli	0.50	2.00	0.25	-	0.25	2.00	-	-

The EOCz, EOCc, and (E)-cinnamaldehyde exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity against S. aureus and S. epidermidis. The MIC values ranged from 0.25 to 0.50 mg/ml, and the EOCz showing a bacteriostatic effect at 0.50 mg/ml, while EOCc and (E)-cinnamaldehyde had the same effect at 0.25 mg/ml. At the concentrations assayed in this study, no MIC or MBC for oxacillin could be determined, since growth was not detected at any concentration tested. The similarity between the data can be explained by the amount of (E)-cinnamaldehyde present in the EOCc (90.22%) (see Table 1). The MIC value for the oils and (E)-cinnamaldehyde against S. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa was 0.50 mg/ml, and no bactericidal effect of these natural products was observed for these bacteria. In contrast, for E. coli, only EOCc did not exhibit a bactericidal effect, and the MIC varied from 0.25 to 0.50 mg/ml, and the MBC was 2.00 mg/ml for both for EOCZ and (E)-cinnamaldehyde.

In a study by [39], it was shown that the essential oil of C. cassia was 85.06% (E)-cinnamaldehyde. In addition, antimicrobial activity was found against strains of P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and S. aureus. The results demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect in which the MICs of (E)-cinnamaldehyde and C. cassia oil were 0.3 mg/ml for Gram-negative strains and that of (E)-cinnamaldehyde was 0.25 mg/ml for S. aureus, with the essential oil of C. cassia having an MIC of 0.6 mg/ml against S. aureus.

In a study by [40], (E)-cinnamaldehyde was tested against ten Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains and three fungal species. The results demonstrated an inhibitory effect, according to the classification established by [41], with MIC values ranging from 0.78 to 12.5 μl/ml for S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa, bacteria which were used in the present study; the specific values for these concentrations were 1.56 and 12.5 μl/ml, respectively. In the present study, the MIC values for (E)-cinnamaldehyde against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa were 0.25 and 0.50 mg/ml, respectively, corresponding to approximately, 0.24 and 0.48 μl/ml. Thus, the observed inhibitory effect obtained in this study was up to approximately twice as high as those observed by [40].

A study by [42] demonstrated the antibacterial activity of cinnamaldehyde against E. coli and S. aureus. In this study, cinnamaldehyde presented MIC values of 0.25 μl/m and MBC value of 0.5 μl/ml for both bacteria, similar to the data obtained in this study. In addition, scanning electron microscopy showed morphological changes, which were confirmed by the increase of nucleic acid and protein levels in the cell suspension, indicating that the cell membrane was damaged. Thus, according to the authors, cinnamaldehyde plays a role in disrupting the bacterial cell membrane.

3.3. Antibiofilm Activity of the Essential Oils from the Trunk Bark of C. zeylanicum and C. cassia and Cinnamaldehyde

3.3.1. Quantification of Biofilm Biomass and Cell Viability in Biofilms

The biofilm biomass quantification data are shown in Table 3.

Table 3.

Minimum concentration of essencial oil from C. cassia (EOCc) and C. zeylanicum (EOCz) stems, (E)-cinnamaldehyde and oxacillin (mg/ml) reduce biofilm biomass by 100% in comparison to normal biofilm growth.

	Substances
Microorganisms	EOCc	EOCz	(E)-cinnamaldehyde	Oxacillin
S. aureus	0.25	0.25	0.25	0.01
S. epidermidis	0.50	0.50	0.25	0.01
S. pyogenes	0.06	0.12	0.50	0.01
P. aeruginosa	0.06	0.12	0.25	0.01
E. coli	0.12	0.50	0.25	0.01

According to the results presented (see Table 3), the comparison between the concentrations of the substances that reduce S. pyogenes biofilms shows that the (E)-cinnamaldehyde concentration was approximately eight times higher than that of EOCc and four times higher than that of EOCz. In this case, it may be suggested that other components of the essential oils also participate synergistically in the antibiofilm action. A similar behavior is observed on biofilms of P. aeruginosa. However, against Staphylococcus, the concentration of the essential oils remains constant when compared to (E)-cinnamaldehyde or is twice as high as that of S. epidermidis biofilm.

The cell viability verification data in bacterial biofilms are presented in Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Cell viability in bacterial biofilms after the action of the essential oils from C. cassia and C. zeylanicum stems, cinnamaldehyde and oxacillin (mg/ml). ∗ p<0.01. NC: negative control; EOCc: essential oil Cinnamomum cassia; EOCz: essential oil Cinnamomum zeylanicum.

Commercially obtained C. zeylanicum essential oil was able to inhibit the biomass and number of viable P. aeruginosa biofilm cells at concentrations from 0.12 to 1.92 mg/ml. At 1.92 mg/ml, no biomass was observed and the viable cell reduction was significantly different from that of the negative control [43]. One study showed that 41.7% of biofilms of P. aeruginosa and 33.3% of S. aureus biofilms were sensitive to C. zeylanicum oil [44].

Another Cinnamomum species also exhibited antibiofilm activity; the essential oil of the trunk bark of C. burmannii was used to inhibit planktonic cell growth and the development of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa biofilms. These results showed that, at a concentration of 0.12% (v/v), the oil was able to inhibit planktonic cell growth of both bacteria by 50%. Fifty percent inhibition of biofilm formation was observed at a concentration of 0.03%, while at a concentration of 0.12% (v/v), biofilms formed by both bacteria were destabilized [45].

One study demonstrated that trans-cinnamaldehyde inhibited E. coli biofilm formation in urinary catheter fragments. Biofilm prevention was tested using catheter fragments inoculated with E. coli and treated with trans-cinnamaldehyde (0, 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5%) for 0, 1, 3, and 5 days. All of the concentrations assayed prevented E. coli biofilm formation in urinary catheter fragments [46].

4. Conclusions

Essential oils and (E)-cinnamaldehyde inhibit the growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria in planktonic form. In addition, they inhibit the formation of biofilms, which are directly related to infections. The most susceptible biofilms were P. aeruginosa and E. coli microorganisms. Bioactivity may be associated with the presence of high content of (E)-cinnamaldehyde in the composition of essential oils. Therefore, these essential oils and their major component may be considered as possible sources for the development of new antimicrobial agents and may be used in synergy with currently available synthetic antibiotics or antimicrobials. In addition, the (E)-cinnamaldehyde molecule is promising as a prototype for derivatives with antibacterial properties and extended antibiotics.

Data Availability

The data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.