GC–MS Analysis, Biological Characterization, Quorum Sensing Inhibition, and Molecular Docking of <i>Cinnamomum camphora</i> L.

Abstract

This study evaluated the biological properties of the essential oil (EO) from Cinnamomum camphora L. leaves, revealing eucalyptol, sabinene, and alpha-terpineol as major constituents. This EO exhibited potent antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ of 5.79 in DPPH and 36.71 µg/mL in ABTS assays. The anti-inflammatory potential reached 67.84% at a concentration of 1600 µg/mL. Antimicrobial assays revealed significant activity against several pathogenic strains, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with MICs ranging from 31.25 to 500 µg/mL. The EO inhibited biofilm formation by up to 76.25%, reduced bacterial motility by up to 83.33%, and suppressed the production of the quorum sensing (QS)-regulated pigment pyocyanin by 60.81%. These results indicate a potent anti-virulence strategy targeting bacterial cell-to-cell communication. Molecular docking analysis targeting the FliC protein indicated that alpha-terpineol adopts a stable conformation within the active site, closely overlapping with the reference ligand. These findings support further investigation of the therapeutic potential of C. camphora L. as a natural alternative to counteract microbial resistance.