Anti-Biofilm and Hemolytic Effects of Cymbopogon citratus (Dc) Stapf Essential Oil

Abstract

Objective: To perform chemical analysis and to evaluate the anti-biofilm and hemolytic effect of the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus. Material and Methods: Gaseous chromatography coupled to mass spectrometer was performed for chemical characterization of the essential oil. To verify the antimicrobial action, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC) were determined. From MIC, MBC and MFC data, concentrations were established to verify the antibiofilm effect and for the hemolysis test on human erythrocytes. A multispecies biofilm was developed in vitro and mouthwash applications were simulated to determine the inhibition of biofilm formation or its removal. Results were analyzed through ANOVA statistical test, complemented by the Tukey test, considering a significance level of 5%. Results: The major component of the essential oil is citral. MIC verified for Streptococcus mutans was 1mg / mL, while for Candida albicans, it was 125 µg/mL, presenting microbicidal effect for both microorganisms tested. The essential oil was able to inhibit biofilm formation (p<0.001), presenting non-toxic hemolysis percentage in concentration below 500 µg/mL. Conclusion: The essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus is antimicrobial, antibiofilm and non-toxic to human erythrocytes, representing a natural product with potential for use in Dentistry.

Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

“…Recent decades mark an exponential upsurge in establishing the bioactivities of lemongrass extract and essential oil. Feeding studies establish that lemongrass oil and extract has antimicrobial, anticancer, antiamoebic, antidiarrheal, antifilarial, antitussive, antiseptic, larvicidal, insecticidal, miticidal, ovicidal, acaricidal, analgesic, aesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, antihypertensive, anti-obesity, anxiolytic, and antimutagenicity potential, cardioprotective, antirheumatic, and haematological properties [ 9 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. These bioactivities are the direct product of the individual and synergistic effect of different major and minor LEO components [ 12 ].…”

“…Lemongrass oil and extract are effective against a wide variety of disease-causing microbes. LEO has been used as an antibacterial [ 23 , 34 , 35 ], antifungal [ 32 , 36 ], and an antiviral [ 23 , 37 , 38 ] agent on many occasions. Similarly, lemongrass extract inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus , Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Candida albicans , and Staphylococcus aureus with different levels of susceptibility [ 39 ].…”

Lemongrass Essential Oil Components with Antimicrobial and Anticancer Activities

“…Recent decades mark an exponential upsurge in establishing the bioactivities of lemongrass extract and essential oil. Feeding studies establish that LEO has antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-amoebic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-filarial, antitussive, antiseptic, larvicidal, insecticidal, miticidal, ovicidal, acaricidal, analgesic, anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antinociceptive, antihypertensive, anti-obesity, anxiolytic, and antimutagenicity potential, cardio-protective, anti-rheumatic, and hematological properties [7,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. These bioactivities are the direct product of the individual and synergistic effect of different major and minor LEO components [11].…”

“…The lemongrass oil and extract are effective against a wide variety of disease-causing microbes [31]. Several studies have used LEO as an antibacterial [21,32,33], antifungal [30,34], and antiviral [21,35,36] agent. Similarly, lemongrass extract inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus aureus with different levels of susceptibility [37].…”

Effect of Long Fermentation to Titrated Acid Total (TAT) in Lemongrass Kombucha Tea (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf.)

“…Lemongrass has good nutrition for the body; Lemongrass stems have a water content of 76.78%, ash content of 0.79%, and essential oils of 0.25%. Moreover, the vitamin A content is around 0.1 IU/100g, vitamin B is around 0.8 mg, and vitamin C is 4 mg. Lemongrass also provides essential minerals such as iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, calcium and zinc [4] [5] . Apart from fresh drinks, one alternative to lemongrass is a healthy probiotic drink called kombucha.…”