Indonesian Journal Health Science and Medicine
Vol. 3 No. 2 (2026): Oktober

Biological activity of cinnamon and cardamom oils on some virulence factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Shaimaa Ghazi Younis Mohammed (Nineveh Education Directorate)



Article Info

Publish Date
09 Aug 2026

Abstract

General Background: Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a severe global health hazard, demanding alternative therapeutic strategies. Specific Background: Plant-derived essential oils such as cinnamon and cardamom oils are investigated for their potential to target bacterial virulence factors without triggering antimicrobial resistance. Knowledge Gap: However, the comparative efficacy of cinnamon oil versus cardamom oil in suppressing biofilm development, pigment production, and bacterial motility remains insufficiently characterized. Aims: This study evaluated the comparative biological activity of cinnamon and cardamom oils against biofilm formation, pyocyanin production, and swarming motility in a clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa. Results: Microtiter plate assays revealed that cinnamon oil successfully reduced strong biofilm formation to weak biofilm formation at 0.8 µl/ml and suppressed pyocyanin production at 0.4–0.8 µl/ml, while significantly restricting swarming motility; conversely, cardamom oil showed no effect on biofilm formation at any tested concentration and exhibited lower efficacy in inhibiting pigment production and movement. Novelty: This study demonstrates the superior, concentration-dependent anti-virulence potency of cinnamon oil over cardamom oil against P. aeruginosa. Implications: These findings support the potential application of cinnamon oil as a natural therapeutic agent to attenuate key virulence factors in multidrug-resistant Keywords : Cinnamon Oil, Cardamom Oil, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Biofilm Formation, Pyocyanin Production Key Findings Highlights Cinnamon oil effectively converted strong biofilm production to weak biofilm production at 0.8 µl/ml, whereas cardamom oil exhibited no anti-biofilm activity at any tested concentration. Pyocyanin pigment synthesis was fully suppressed by cinnamon oil at concentrations between 0.4 and 0.8 µl/ml, demonstrating significantly higher inhibitory activity than cardamom oil. Swarming motility on agar was markedly restricted by cinnamon oil compared to cardamom oil and untreated controls.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijhsm

Publisher

Subject

Health Professions Medicine & Pharmacology Public Health Veterinary

Description

Focus: The Indonesian Journal on Health Science and Medicine (IJHSM) focus to advance the field of health science and medicine by publishing high-quality, peer-reviewed research articles, reviews, and case studies. Our journal serves as a platform for researchers, clinicians, and healthcare ...