Original Articles
Sheikh Imran Ahmada, Malini Ca
Abstract
Use of plant based drugs and chemicals for curing various ailments and personal adornment is as old as human civilization. Plants and plant-based medicaments are the basis of many of the modern pharmaceuticals we use today for our various ailments. Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine. In the present study, an attempt was made to determine the phytochemical composition and in vitro effects of methanolic extract of Cinnamomum cassia bark against Candida parapsilosis SN 1980, Candida guilliermondii SN 2006 and Candida glabrata SN 2266. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, steroids and tannins in varying concentration. In GC-MS analysis, the major compounds were cinnamaldehyde, p-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, cis-2-methoxy cinnamic acid and cinnamic acid. Biological examination was carried out in terms of minimum inhibitory concentration; filter disc assay and growth curve study. SEM examination of treated cells showed severe damage of the membrane. From our data, we conclude that Cinnamomum cassia bark extract can be explored further as an option for efficacious and safe drug for candidiasis.