Minimum inhibitory concentration of cinnamon essential oil in inhibiting the growth of Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans

Periodontal disease is a persistent inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth due to inflammation of the periodontal bacteria. Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are periodontal bacteria that colonize dental plaque, which is the main cause of periodontal disease. Antibacterial applications can help in the healing process of periodontal disease. Chlorhexidine 0.2%, the gold standard for oral antiseptic, has unfavorable side effects if used continuously. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) essential oil has the potential to be a natural antibacterial alternative as it contains the active compounds of cinnamaldehyde and eugenol. This study aims to examine the antibacterial power and determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of cinnamon (Cinnamomum burmannii) essential oil in inhibiting the growth of the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. This study is experimental laboratory research using the disc diffusion method. Seven sample groups, namely cinnamon essential oil concentrations of 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, 16%, and 0.2% chlorhexidine as the positive control group and distilled water as the negative control group, were tested on the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586 and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 43718. The test was carried out 4 repetitions. An inhibition zone was formed against the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans at 8% concentration of 13.16 mm and 13.49 mm, 16% concentration with a diameter of 17.35 mm and 18.58 mm and 0.2% chlorhexidine with diameters of 25.76 mm and 26.10 mm. Cinnamomum burmannii essential oil has antibacterial activity against the bacteria Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is 8%.