Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the essential oil and methanol extract of the Mediterranean cypress

Abstract

Background:Cupressus sempervirensis a medicinal plant traditional, its dried leaves are used in treatment of stomach pain, diabetes, inflammation, toothache, laryngitis and as contraceptive. Methods:The present study was conducted to evaluate thein vitro antimicrobial, antibiofilm and determination chemical contents of the essential oil (Eo) and methanol extract from MediterraneanC. sempervirensL. The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled Eo ofC. sempervirenswas analyzed by a GC and GC/MS system. Results:A total of 20 constituents representing 98.1% of the oil were identified:α-pinene (48.6%), δ-3-carene (22.1%), limonene (4.6%) and α-terpinolene (4.5%) were the main components comprising 79.8% of the oil. The antimicrobial test results showed that the methanol extract ofC. sempervirensstrongly inhibited the growth of the test bacteria studied, except for yeast species while the Eo had moderate antibacterial, but no anti-candida activity. Klebsiella pneumoniaewas proven to be the most susceptible against methanol extract. The exposure time of Eo and methanol extract for complete inhibition of cell viability ofK. pneumoniaewas found to be 250μg at 30 min and 500μg at 120 min, respectively. The antibiofilm potential of the samples was evaluated using methods of PVC microtiter and eradication on biomaterial. Visual results showed visible biofilm eradication from the surface of intravenous infusion tube at 500μg of Eo and methanol extract. Conclusions:The results presented here may suggest that the Eo and extracts ofC. sempervirenspossess antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties, and therefore, can be used as natural preservative ingredients in food and/ or pharmaceuticals