caryophyllene-oxide and Mycoses

The essential oil from the rhizomes of Aframomum sceptrum (Zingiberaceae) was analyzed by GC/MS, and its major constituents were found to be β-pinene (12.7%), caryophyllene oxide (10.0%), and cyperene (6.0%). The oil was also evaluated for antimicrobial activities, in comparison with β-pinene, caryophyllene oxide, and the leaf essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia (Myrtaceae). The A. sceptrum essential oil exhibited bacteriostatic activity against the Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and S. aureus, but not against Gram-negative bacteria. Moreover, it showed mild fungicidal activity against Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigates, and remarkable antiprotozoal activity against Trypanosoma brucei brucei (MLC of 1.51 μl/ml) and Trichomonas vaginalis (IC(50) of 0.12±0.02 and MLC of 1.72 μl/ml).

Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antiprotozoal Agents; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Bicyclic Monoterpenes; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds; Cattle; Fungi; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Monoterpenes; Mycoses; Oils, Volatile; Plant Oils; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes; Rhizome; Sesquiterpenes; Trypanosoma brucei brucei; Trypanosomiasis, Bovine; Zingiberaceae