Effects of Cinnamon Essential Oil on Intestinal Flora Regulation of Ulcerative Colitis Mice Colonized by Candida albicans

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO), a safe, medicinal, and edible Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) component, was investigated for its anti-<i>Candida albicans</i> property and ability to relieve intestinal inflammation. The anti-<i>Candida albicans</i> ability of CEO was evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), 2,3-Bis-(2-Methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) methods. By constructing ulcerative colitis (UC) mice intestinally colonized by <i>C. albicans</i>, the CEO effects on the regulation of flora, the relief of intestinal inflammation, and possible related signal pathway were discussed. The results showed that CEO has a significant effect on inhibiting <i>C. albicans</i>, where the MIC₈₀ value was 265 μg/mL, and the Sessile Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (SMIC)₈₀ value was 530 μg/mL. SEM showed the CEO could inhibit <i>C. albicans</i> mycelium growth and biofilm formation. CEO can regulate the flora disturbance, reduce inflammatory factors level, and play a protective role in intestinal mucosal damage. Network pharmacology predicts CEO may be associated with Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JAK-STAT) pathway. It was proved that CEO had an inhibitory effect on the JAK-STAT pathway by qPCR determination. These findings suggest CEO may have therapeutic potential for <i>C. albicans</i>-associated UC.