Antimicrobial Effects of Lavandula angustifolia Mill, Artemisia sieberi Besser, Cinnamomum verum J. Presl and Myrtus communis L. Encapsulated Essential Oils Against Prevalent Microorganisms Causing Sinusitis

authors:

avatar Susan Ghorbani Darabad 1 , avatar Afshin Mohsenifar 2 , avatar Seyed Amir Yazdanparast 3 , * , avatar Mansour Bayat 4

Department of Microbiology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran
Development Center of Nanozino, University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, IR Iran
Department of Microbiology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Specialized Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IR Iran

how to cite: Ghorbani Darabad S, Mohsenifar A, Yazdanparast S A, Bayat M. Antimicrobial Effects of Lavandula angustifolia Mill, Artemisia sieberi Besser, Cinnamomum verum J. Presl and Myrtus communis L. Encapsulated Essential Oils Against Prevalent Microorganisms Causing Sinusitis. Thrita. 2015;4(2):e24773. https://doi.org/10.5812/thrita.4(2)2015.24773.

Abstract

Background:

Sinusitis is one of the most prevalent infectious diseases among those who visit doctor, which requires antibiotic intervention. The most common types of bacteria causing this disease are Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Nonetheless due to dangerous side effects of chemical drugs on body and increased drug resistance of bacteria, new alternative therapeutic method, such as nano-encapsulating herbal essences is considered to augment effectiveness of treatment as well as bacterial sensitivity.

Objectives:

In this study, the antimicrobial effects of four encapsulated essential oils including Lavandula angustifolia Mill, Cinnamomum verum J. S. Persl, Artemisia sieberi Besser and Myrtus communis L. were evaluated on microorganisms of S. pneumonia , S. pyogenes, S. aureus and P. aeroginosa, which are among the most common factors for sinusitis.

Materials and Methods:

First, the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration quantitative tests followed by qualitative test (disk diffusion) were performed to examine drug sensitivity.

Results:

The quantitative result in examined encapsulated essential oils was 0.097 µg/mL for S. pneumonia with Lavander nano-essence, 0.097 µg/mL, for S. pyogenes with Artemisia and Lavander nano-essences, 1.562 µg/mL for S. aureus with Artemisia nano-essence and 3.215 µg/mL for P. aeroginosa with Artemisia and Lavander nano-essences. Moreover, the results of the disk diffusion test showed that nano-essences did not have the ability to be released from paper disks and diffuse in solid environment.

Conclusions:

The results show proper effects of encapsulated essential oils on the four leading causes of sinusitis microorganisms (P ≥ 0.01) and also the findings indicate that the essential oils can be used to make more effective drugs with herbal resources and fewer side effects for destroying these microorganisms.

1. Background

Sinusitis is an inflammatory condition of the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses that initiated by various factors, such as microbial infections. The rate of sinusitis accounts for 75% in the ambulatory patients who need antibiotic treatment (1, 2). Streptococcus pneumonia, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa are common causative agents of sinusitis (2, 3). In aromatherapy references, Artemisia sieberi Besser, Cinnamomum verum J. Presl Lavandula angustifolia Mill, and Myrtus communis L are introduced as antimicrobial agents (4). Thujone, camphor and verbenol are the main components of Artemisia sieberi Besser essence (5-7). The major ingredients of Cinnamomum verum J. Presl are cinnamic aldehyde and linalool (8, 9), Lavandula angustifolia Mill essence is mainly composed of linalool (8, 10) and Myrtus communis L essence contains alpha-pinene and 1,8-cineol (11-13). The metabolism of essences is faster compared to chemical drugs and these herbal essences generally have fewer side effects. Volatility characteristics, low solubility in water and oxidation capability necessitate the attempt to find the new techniques for increasing the antimicrobial activity of essences. The most important ways are formulations and modifications that can be applied on essence oils to improve their quality, efficacy, and biological activity. Thus, it is considered to employ new drug and herbal component formulations based on nanoscience to enhance the efficiency of active herbal ingredients especially essences, which are proven to be antimicrobial agents (14-16). Nanogels or nanocapsules are the most important nanoformulations. Polymeric nanocapsules are produced in various sizes and shapes in the simultaneous polymerization process (14, 15). Chitosan is a nontoxic, natural and biopolysaccharide which derived from chitin and can be used as an antimicrobial agent. Chitosan has a powerful antimicrobial effect on a wide range of microorganisms such as fungi, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (17). The antimicrobial activities of nanocapsulated essences of Cinnamon, Artemisia, Myrtle and Lavender are not well-studied till now.

2. Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of nanoencapsulated essences of Cinnamon, Artemisia, Myrtle and Lavender on common bacteria involved in infectious sinusitis.

3. Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, common bacterial strains were cultured primarily on blood agar and Muller Hinton agar and the cultured media were incubated at 37°C. In the next stage, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and disk diffusion assays were conducted using various concentrations of prepared nanoencapsulated essences based on the Muller Hinton agar.

3.1. Culture Media

Brain Heart, Muller Hinton agar and blood agar used in the study were purchased from the Merck chemical company.

3.2. Bacterial Strains

The following microbial strains were used in this study: S. pneumonia PTCC (1240) NCTC (7465), S. pyogenes PTCC (1447) CIP (5405), S. aureus PTCC (1112) ATCC (6538) and P. aeruginosa PTCC (1430) ATCC (27853). All strains were obtained from Iranian Center of Industrial and Medical Fungi and Bacteria Collection.

3.3. Essences

All essences including Cinnamon, Artemisia, myrtle and lavender were purchased from Barij Essence Co. Kashan, Iran.

3.3.1. Preparing the Nanoencapsulated Essence

To produce nanoencapsulated essential oils, 0.5 g chitosan was dissolved in 100 mL of 1% acetic acid (pH = 3-3.5) employing a magnetic stirrer. The solution was sonicated for 20 minutes to complete the homogenization of chitosan. Then, Carbodiimide-activated myristic acid was added to the chitosan solution drop by drop while vigorously stirred and the pH of the reaction mixture was set as 4.5 - 6.5 using 0.1 M sodium hydroxide. The resulting concentrated viscous gel was centrifuged three times by adding absolute ethanol to remove any excess and unwanted materials. Finally, to generate the 5000 ppm nano-essence, approximately 25 µL essential oils was mixed with 5000 µL previously prepared chitosan-myristic acid nanogel and was sonicated in a ultra-sonicate device for 5 minutes.

3.3.2. Morphological Assay of Nanocapsules With Electron Microscopes

The surface and shape of nanocapsule walls were observed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), respectively. To prepare the samples, 5 µL of the generated formulation was diluted 2 folds with distilled water and ultrasonicated for 15 minutes at the power of 40 weeks.

3.3.3. A Dynamic Light Scattering Assay for Estimating the Size of Nanocapsules

Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) caused by Brownian movement of particles was used for estimating the size of particles in liquid. Diffusion of small isometric particles in liquids had enough speed in causing faster fluctuations within the intensity of scattered light in comparison with large particles, which diffused more slowly. These intensity fluctuations were recorded in the DLS experiment. Autocorrelation analysis of the measured diffusion coefficients, under assumption of a spherical shape of the particles, yielded a mean particle diameter expressed as z-average. In this study, the DLS was performed on Malvern Zetasizer Nano at 25°C in a cuvette (glass quadrilateral with rounded aperture fixed at an angle of 90 degrees). Each measurement was repeated at least three times and the obtained results showed a good reproducibility (18).

3.4. Microbial Suspension

To prepare the microbial suspension, 4 - 5 colonies were transferred from 24 hours culture to the sterile physiologic serum using a sterile straight wire near the Bunsen burner flame; and then placed in a 37°C incubator. Turbidity of suspensions was compared with standard McFarland turbidity, after 2 - 5 minutes and adjusted by physiologic serum or fresh colony (19).

3.5. Disc Diffusion Test

After inoculation of microbial suspension of S. aureus, P. aeroginosa (adjusted to 0.5 McFarland standard) on to the Muller Hinton agar medium with swab, 9 millimeter discs dripped with 10 µL nano-essence were placed on the agar surface in a regular order. Plates were then incubated at 37°C for 48 hours. The blood agar was utilized for S. pneumonia and S. pyogenes. Common appropriate antibiotic discs were used as positive controls.

3.6. Determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration

For determining the MIC, initially 100 µL of the BHI broth was added to each well of the standard 96-well microplate. A serial dilution for Cinnamon, Artemisia, and Lavender nano-essences was prepared in a 96-well plate (100 µL each well), and then 100 µL of each solution transferred from first well to the second to reach 1:2 dilution and this was repeated across all wells finally 100 µL was discarded from the last well. The fist and the last wells had the highest and lowest concentrations, respectively. Afterwards, 100 µL of the standardized microbial suspension was added to each well, and two separate wells used as positive (microbial suspension without nano-essence) and negative control (highest concentration of nano-essence without microbial suspension). Microplates were incubated at 37°C for 48 hours (19, 20). This test was carried out for each bacterium and nano-essence, twice in aseptic conditions. Microplates were observed visually and read at 540 nm on an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) reader. The lowest concentration with inhibited growth was considered the MIC for that organism.

3.7. Determining the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration

To obtain the MBC, three different concentrations with MICs and the bacterial concentration before and after MIC were all cultured on blood agar and Muller Hinton Agar (50 µL from each well pipetted to the culture medium). After 48 hours incubation at 37°C, the cultured media were assayed for colony formation and growth; and the concentration in which 99.9% of bacteria were dead, considered as the MBC (19, 20).

4. Results

4.1. Dynamic Light Scattering for Estimating the Size of Nanocapsules

The DLS was performed on Malvern Zetasizer Nano at 25°C in a cuvette (glass quadrilateral with rounded aperture is fixed at an angle of 90 degrees). Figure 1 shows the distribution of various sizes for nanoencapsulated essences. Based on the nanogel polymerization conditions, nanocapsules obtained with average particles’ diameter and particle size distribution were calculated in the range of 88.5 - 189 nm and 35 - 400 nm, respectively.

Dynamic Light Scattering Diagram of Distribution of the Size of Nanoencapsulated Essences
Dynamic Light Scattering Diagram of Distribution of the Size of Nanoencapsulated Essences

4.2. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Nanocapsule Components

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for biological studies. The Infrared Radiation (IR) is passed through a sample. Some of the infrared radiation is absorbed by the sample but some of it may be passed through (transmitted).The resulting spectrum represents the molecular absorption and transmission, creating a molecular fingerprint for the sample. Like a fingerprint no two unique molecular structures produce the same IR spectrum. This makes infrared spectroscopy useful for several types of analysis. Figures 2-4 depict the FTIR image of nanogel major components. The resulted peaks on the FTIR spectrum were used to derive a dose-response curve and provide pharmacological and toxicological information quickly and simply.

Infrared Spectroscopy of Chitosan Biopolysaccharide Constituents
Infrared Spectroscopy of Chitosan Biopolysaccharide Constituents
Infrared Spectroscopy of Myristic Acid
Infrared Spectroscopy of Myristic Acid
Infrared Spectroscopy of Chitosan and Myristic Acid After Bonding
Infrared Spectroscopy of Chitosan and Myristic Acid After Bonding

4.3. The Antimicrobial Activity of Nanocapsules

Evaluation of essence MICs for S. pneumonia indicated that the best MIC occurred for nanoencapsulated essence of Lavender with concentration of 0.097 ug/mL, Lavender and Artemisia for S. pyogenes (0.097 ug/mL), Artemisia for S. aureus (1.562 ug/mL) and Lavender and Artemisia for P. aeruginosa (3.125 ug/mL). Also, the MICs and MBCs determinations were performed twice and produced the same results (Tables 1 and 2). No inhibition zone was observed using the disc diffusion method. After repeating and evaluating the results, it seemed that essences could not be released from the nanocapsules' paper discs on solid agarose. Therefore, the positive results of MICs and MBCs determination can be referred to the high accuracy and also advantages for the microdilution broth method versus disc diffusion method.

Table 1.

The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations for Nanoencapsulated Essences of Lavender, Cinnamon and Artemisia on Microorganisms (µg/mL)

Nano-essencesMicroorganisms
Streptococcus pneumoniaStreptococcus pyogenesStaphylococcus aureusPseudomonas aeroginosa
Lavandula angustifolia Mill0.0970.0976.253.125
Artemisia sieberi Besser0.1950.0971.5623.125
Myrtus communis L3.1256.256.2525
Cinnamomum verum J. S. Persl0.1956.256.256.25
Table 2.

The Minimum Bactericidal Concentrations for Nanoencapsulated Essences of Lavender, Cinnamon and Artemisia on Microorganisms (µg/mL)

Nano-essencesMicroorganisms
Streptococcus pneumoniaStreptococcus pyogenesStaphylococcus aureusPseudomonas aeroginosa
Lavandula angustifolia Mill0.1950.1956.2506.250
Artemisia sieberi Besser0.1950.1953.1253.125
Myrtus communis L3.1256.2512.550
Cinnamomum verum J. S. Persl0.3912.512.512.5

5. Discussion

Bacteria colonized in the upper respiratory tract can proliferate and cause infection in immunodeficient conditions or if the nasal and facial sinuses do not drain efficiently in situations such as illness, stimulators, drugs or trauma. Inappropriate treatment can lead to complications with a serious threat for individual health (1, 21). At the present time, antibiotic treatment of these infections faces various problems that limit the antibiotic therapy. Thus, herbal resources attract more attention due to lower side effects and in some cases better and faster effects. Studies in Iran and other countries suggested the antimicrobial activities of herbal essences (4, 11). Due to volatility characteristics, low solubility in water and oxidation capability of essences, it is required to discover new techniques for increasing their antimicrobial activity before utilizing them for treatment. One of the most important methods is harnessing nanoscience for formulation and manipulation of essences to increase the quality, and effect and to prolong biological activities (14, 16). Very limited studies have been carried out about properties of nanoencapsulated essences till now. Sefidkan and the colleagues concluded that the Nasturtium officinalis nanoencapsulated extract could eliminate more cancer cells with the same concentration and period in comparison to noncapsulated one (22). Our results and those by Negahban et al. suggest more and prolonged effect are attributed by Artemisia nanoencapsulated essence due to its controlled release (15). Mashhady Rafie and the colleagues used Artemisia sieberi nano-essence to treat dermatophytosis induced by microsporum canis in guinea pig model, and their results showed that this nano-essence was an effective drug to treat M. canis infection (23).

The results of the present study suggest that nano-essences, similar to pure essences, have significant effects on Gram-negative as well as Gram-positive bacteria. Comparison of the results of this study with Mahboubi and colleagues demonstrated the strong antimicrobial effect of Artemisia essence on Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungi (6). The comparison of the results illustrates strong antimicrobial effects especially for Cinnamon and Lavender essences on pathogens of respiratory organs, Inouye et al. also stated this impact (24). In the present study the MICs in micro plates were visually evaluated and read by a standard ELISA reader and no significant difference was observed between the two methods (P ≤ 0.05). Also, evaluation of 42 hours and 72 hours incubation showed similar results (P ≤ 0.05) suggesting that the active constituents of essences can be released at the initiating hours and increasing the incubation time could not have a significant effect on their antimicrobial activity. A comparison of both the MICs and MBCs in our results with other studies demonstrates a similarity in minimum of concentrations as inhibitory or bactericidal.

Acknowledgements

References

  • 1.

    Brook I. Microbiology and antimicrobial management of sinusitis. J Laryngol Otol. 2005;119(4):251-8. [PubMed ID: 15949076]. https://doi.org/10.1258/0022215054020304.

  • 2.

    Kasper DL, Braunwald E, Fauci AS, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL. Harrison's Manual of Medicine. New York: Mcgraw-Hill Education; 2005. 1807 p.

  • 3.

    Brook I, Foote PA, Frazier EH. Microbiology of acute exacerbation of chronic sinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2005;114(7):573-6. [PubMed ID: 16134356].

  • 4.

    Salehi Surmaghi H. Medicinal plants and phytotherapy. Tehran: Donyaee Taghazie; 2006.

  • 5.

    Bagheri R, Chaichi MR, Mohseni-Saravi M, Amin GR, Zahedi G. Grazing affects essential oil compositions of Artemisia sieberi Besser. Pak J Biol Sci. 2007;10(5):810-3. [PubMed ID: 19069870].

  • 6.

    Mahboubi M, Farzin N. Antimicrobial activity of Artemisia sieberi essential oil from central of Iran. Iran J Microbiol. 2009;1(2):43-8.

  • 7.

    Sharafati Chaleshtori R, Rokni N, Razavilar V, Rafieian Kopaei M. The Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity of Tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus L.) Essential Oil and Its Chemical Composition. Jundishapur J Microbiology. 2013;6(9). https://doi.org/10.5812/jjm.7877.

  • 8.

    Zargari A. Medicinal Plants Herbs. IV. Tehran: Tehran University Publications; 2011.

  • 9.

    Anghel AG, Grumezescu AM, Chirea M, Grumezescu V, Socol G, Iordache F, et al. MAPLE fabricated Fe3O4@Cinnamomum verum antimicrobial surfaces for improved gastrostomy tubes. Molecules. 2014;19(7):8981-94. [PubMed ID: 24979402]. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules19078981.

  • 10.

    Emiliani G, Mengoni A, Maida I, Perrin E, Chiellini C, Fondi M, et al. Linking Bacterial Endophytic Communities to Essential Oils: Clues from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:650905. [PubMed ID: 24971151]. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/650905.

  • 11.

    Zargari A. Medicinal Plants Herbs. II. 2th ed. Tehran: Tehran University Publications; 2011. p. 322-6.

  • 12.

    Aleksic V, Knezevic P. Antimicrobial and antioxidative activity of extracts and essential oils of Myrtus communis L. Microbiol Res. 2014;169(4):240-54. [PubMed ID: 24291016]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2013.10.003.

  • 13.

    Ghadami Yazdi E, Minaei MB, Hashem Dabaghian F, Ebrahim Zadeh Ardakani M, Ranjbar AM, Rastegari M, et al. Efficacy of Myrtus communis L. and Descurainia sophia L. Versus Salicylic Acid for Wart Treatment. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014;16(10). ee16386. [PubMed ID: 25558385]. https://doi.org/10.5812/ircmj.16386.

  • 14.

    Lai F, Wissing SA, Muller RH, Fadda AM. Artemisia arborescens L essential oil-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles for potential agricultural application: preparation and characterization. AAPS PharmSciTech. 2006;7(1):E2. [PubMed ID: 16584150]. https://doi.org/10.1208/pt070102.

  • 15.

    Negahban M, Moharramipour S, Zand M, Hashemi SA. Repellent activity of nanoencapsulated essential oil of Artemisia sieberi Besser on Plutella xylostella L. larvae. Iran J Med Aromatic Plant. 2013;29(4):909-24.

  • 16.

    Anghel I, Grumezescu AM, Holban AM, Ficai A, Anghel AG, Chifiriuc MC. Biohybrid nanostructured iron oxide nanoparticles and Satureja hortensis to prevent fungal biofilm development. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(9):18110-23. [PubMed ID: 24009022]. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms140918110.

  • 17.

    Gopalakrishnan L, Ramana LN, Sethuraman S, Krishnan UM. Ellagic acid encapsulated chitosan nanoparticles as anti-hemorrhagic agent. Carbohydr Polym. 2014;111:215-21. [PubMed ID: 25037345]. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2014.03.093.

  • 18.

    Abdollahi M, Yousefi MR, Ranjbar H, Rekabdar F. Synthesis of Polybutadiene Particles via Emulsion Polymerization: Effect of Emulsifier and Initiator Contents on the Reaction Kinetics and Latex's Particle Size. Iran Polym Sci Technol. 2012;25(5):351-64.

  • 19.

    Schwalbe R. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing protocols. USA: Taylor and Francis Group; 2007.

  • 20.

    Performance standards for antimicrobial susceptibility testing; 16th informational supplement (M100-S16). CLSI. 2006;26(3).

  • 21.

    Snow V, Mottur-Pilson C, Hickner JM, American Academy of Family P, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal M, Centers for Disease C, et al. Principles of appropriate antibiotic use for acute sinusitis in adults. Ann Intern Med. 2001;134(6):495-7. [PubMed ID: 11255527].

  • 22.

    Sefidkan F, Torabi Sagvand B, Naderi M, Ghooshegir SA. Comparison of anticancer effects of nanocapsules of Nasturtium officinalis (L.) R. Br. extract with methanolic extract and its fractions. Iran J Med Aromatic Plant. 2013;59(6).

  • 23.

    Mashhady Rafie S, Baradaran Alizadeh S, Bayat M. Comparison of the Therapeutic effects of Nano-essence of Medical herb Artemisia sieberi with the ointment of Ketoconazole in guinea pig infected by Microsporum canis. Int Res J Biol Sci. 2013;2(12):5-10.

  • 24.

    Inouye S, Takizawa T, Yamaguchi H. Antibacterial activity of essential oils and their major constituents against respiratory tract pathogens by gaseous contact. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2001;47(5):565-73. [PubMed ID: 11328766].