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Research Article Volume 12 Issue 1
Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa and Cinnamomum zeylanicum against clinical isolates
Ewaoche Sunday Itodo, Andrew Yashim-Nuhu, Maryam Idris
Received: February 19, 2026 | Published: March 2, 2026
Citation: Itodo ES, Yashim-Nuhu A, Idris M. Phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of Nigella sativa and Cinnamomum zeylanicum against clinical isolates. J Hum Virol Retrovirol. 2026;12(1):33-36. DOI: 10.15406/jhvrv.2026.12.00284
Abstract
The escalating threat of antimicrobial
resistance (AMR) underscores the urgent need for alternative therapeutic
agents, particularly from natural sources. Nigella sativa (black seed) and Cinnamomum
zeylanicum (Ceylon cinnamon) are two botanicals widely recognized in
traditional medicine for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. This
study evaluated the antibacterial activity of extracts from these plants,
prepared via maceration, against clinical isolates of both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus
aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas
aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) bacteria. Extracts demonstrated inhibitory
effects across tested pathogens, with notable activity observed in C.
zeylanicum extract at 1 g/mL, which produced zones of inhibition of 28 ± 1
mm against S. aureus, 15 ± 1 mm against E. coli, and 7 ± 1 mm
against P. aeruginosa. The combined extract displayed enhanced
inhibitory effects compared to individual extracts, suggesting possible
synergistic interactions. These findings support continued investigation of N.
sativa and C. zeylanicum as potential sources of antimicrobial
agents for addressing resistant bacterial infections.1,2
Keywords: phytochemicals, antimicrobial resistance, Nigella sativa, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, clinical isolates, antibacterial activity
©2026 Itodo, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.