Essential oils from Egyptian trees can be used to treat bacterial infections

New research has established that the essential oils derived from the Monterey cypress (Cupressus macrocarpa) and lemon-scented gum (Corymbia citriodora) contain antifungal and antibacterial properties. The study, which appeared in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, identified the therapeutic potential of the two plants.

• Essential oils from the two trees were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to determine its chemical composition.
• Researchers evaluated the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the trees using a microdilution assay. This established minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs), and minimum bacterial concentrations (MBCs) for both essential oils.
• The antioxidant capacity of C. macrocarpa and C. citriodora was analyzed using a 2,2?-diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and beta-carotene-linoleic acid assays.
• The main components of C. macrocarpa essential oil are terpinen-4-ol, alpha-phellandrene, alpha-citronellol (17.3%), and citronellal. On the other hand, C. citriodora essential oil comprised of alpha-citronellal, alpha-citronellol, citronellol acetate, isopulegol, and eucalyptol.
• Of the two trees, C. citridora displayed a higher activity against bacterial strains.

From the findings, researchers concluded that trees such as C. citridora have antibacterial and antifungal properties that can be used both in agriculture and human health.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Salem MZM, Elansary HO, Ali HM, El-Settawy AA, Elshikh MS, Abdel-Salam EM, Skalicka-Wo?niak K. BIOACTIVITY OF ESSENTIAL OILS EXTRACTED FROM CUPRESSUS MACROCARPA BRANCHLETS AND CORYMBIA CITRIODORA LEAVES GROWN IN EGYPT. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;18(23). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-018-2085-0