Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus vulgaris Essential Oils in Cystitis: An Alternative/Complementary Perspective
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cystitis is a common lower urinary tract infection often associated with recurrence, bladder discomfort, and increasing antimicrobial resistance. Essential oils (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus vulgaris) are phytocomplexes with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and smooth muscle-modulating properties. Methods: The essential oils (contained in the solid formulations) were tested against 30 samples obtained either from urine cultures or vaginal swabs, which showed either Escherichia coli or Enterococcus faecalis. Antibacterial activity was assessed by disk diffusion assay: the efficacy of ciprofloxacin was measured, as well as the efficacy of each oil, tested both alone and in combination with ciprofloxacin. Their effects on bladder function were evaluated ex vivo in isolated guinea pig bladder strips by analyzing spontaneous and KCl-induced contractility. Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH assay. Results: All three essential oils showed antibacterial activity against the tested clinical isolates, with different susceptibility profiles. Their combination with ciprofloxacin generally improved antibacterial responsiveness, including in isolates with reduced ciprofloxacin sensitivity. O. vulgare and T. vulgaris essential oils showed relevant spasmolytic activity against KCl-induced contraction, whereas C. zeylanicum displayed the strongest antioxidant activity and favorable modulation of spontaneous bladder contractility at low…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Horizontal gene transfer in the human gastrointestinal tract: potential spread of antibiotic resistance genes
- Mutation supply and relative fitness shape the genotypes of ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli
- Genomic Survey of E. coli From the Bladders of Women With and Without Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms
- Characterization of cefotaxime-resistant urinary Escherichia coli from primary care in South-West England 2017–18
- Fitness cost constrains the spectrum of marR mutations in ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli
- Emerging evidence-based innovative approaches to control catheter-associated urinary tract infection: a review
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.