Extracts of Cinnamomum Loureiroi (Cinnamon) and Zingiber Officinale (Ginger): In vitro Bioactivity Evaluation as Natural Anti-viral Agents

Zingiber officinale (ginger) and Cinnamomum loureiroi (cinnamon) are traditional medicinal plants rich in bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic value. This study optimized extraction conditions and evaluated their ethanol extracts' antioxidant, antimicrobial, and enzyme-inhibitory activities. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for 30 minutes (ginger) and 45 minutes (cinnamon) yielded the highest polyphenol (26.132 ± 4.240 mg GAE/g and 47.511 ± 1.916 mg GAE/g) and flavonoid contents (32.790 ± 2.923 mg RTE/g and 64.257 ± 4.153 mg RTE/g). Antioxidant activity was moderate, with IC50 values of 1358.0 µg/mL (Z. officinale) and 859.1 µg/mL (C. loureiroi). Both extracts exhibited dose-dependent antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus. Notably, they inhibited cysteine and serine proteases relevant to viral entry. IC50 values for papain inhibition were 224.806 ± 4.256 µg/mL (Z. officinale) and 90.580 ± 9.499 µg/mL (C. loureiroi); for trypsin inhibition, values were 290.107 ± 7.566 µg/mL and 187.073 ± 3.347 µg/mL, respectively. These results suggest the extracts’ potential as natural sources of antiviral-related bioactivities. However, further direct anti-viral assays are needed to confirm efficacy.