ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EUGENOL AND CINNAMALDEHYDE AGAINST METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) IN ERBIL, KURDISTAN, IRAQ

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as a critical global health threat due to its high prevalence in both hospital and community settings and its remarkable resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics. MRSA infections can range from superficial skin and soft tissue infections to severe systemic illnesses, including sepsis, pneumonia, and endocarditis, often leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The growing emergence of multidrug-resistant MRSA strains has created an urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies beyond conventional antibiotics. Natural phytochemicals, particularly Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde, have emerged as promising candidates in this context. Eugenol, a phenolic compound predominantly found in clove oil, and Cinnamaldehyde, an aromatic aldehyde derived from cinnamon bark, exhibit potent antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms, including disruption of bacterial cell membranes, inhibition of essential enzymatic functions, induction of oxidative stress, and suppression of biofilm formation. These multifaceted actions not only inhibit bacterial growth but also reduce virulence and resistance potential. This review comprehensively synthesizes recent studies (2018–2025) investigating the antimicrobial efficacy of Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde, with a particular focus on MRSA isolates collected from diverse hospital settings in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq. It explores the potential synergistic interactions of these phytochemicals with conventional antibiotics, which may enhance therapeutic effectiveness while mitigating the development of resistance. The article also discusses challenges associated with clinical translation, including variability in extract composition, bioavailability, safety, and delivery methods, and highlights future research directions such as in vivo studies, advanced formulations, and clinical trials. Placeholders for figures and tables are included to depict chemical structures, mechanisms of action, MIC/MBC data, workflow diagrams, and regional epidemiological patterns, providing a comprehensive framework for understanding the role of Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde in combating MRSA infections.