Unleashing Antibacterial Potential of Clove and Cinnamon by in vitro and in silico analysis for Safer Sanitization

The proliferation of infections can be overcome by the application of germicidal products like sanitizers and disinfectants. However, conventional sanitizers often contain hazardous chemicals, posing risks to human health and the environment while also fostering resistance. Plants, with their bioactive compounds, offer a greener alternative to chemical-laden products. This research aimed to explore the antimicrobial potential of plant matrices by in vitro and in silico analysis for integration into germicidal products. Clove and cinnamon samples were extracted by the Soxhlet extraction and later antibacterial activity was assessed by well diffusion assays and MIC tests. GC-MS analysis identified the bioactive compounds while in silico analysis was employed to evaluate their ability to bind and inhibit target bacterial proteins. Clove and cinnamon extracts displayed promising antibacterial properties. Among the identified bioactive compounds, caryophyllene oxide from clove and gamma-sitosterol from cinnamon exhibited the strongest negative binding energies against target proteins. Caryophyllene oxide achieved a docking score of -8.9 kcal/mol against S. aureus protein while gamma-sitosterol scored -8.8 kcal/mol against S.pyogenes protein. Both in vitro and in silico findings confirm the significant antimicrobial activity of clove and cinnamon extracts due to their bioactive compounds. Consequently, these extracts hold promise for inclusion in germicidal products.