Cinnamon bark oil, a potent fungitoxicant against fungi causing respiratory tract mycoses.

Abstract

The fungitoxic properties of the vapours of cinnamic aldehyde, the active constituent of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil, against Aspergillus niger, A. fumigatus, A. nidulans, A. flavus, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. pseudotropicalis [C. kefyr] and Histoplasma capsulatum were determined in vitro as min. inhibitory concn (MIC), min. lethal concn (MLC), inoculum density sustained, and exposure duration for fungicidal action at MIC and higher doses. The effect of incubation temp. on fungitoxicity was also studied. The MIC varied from 16-40 p.p.m. for the fungi tested; A. fumigatus was the most susceptible and H. capsulatum and Candida spp. were the most resistant. It is suggested that these inhalable vapours could be useful in the treatment of respiratory tract mycoses.