Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant-Derived Antibiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2023) | Viewed by 38102

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Universita degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
Interests: antioxidant activity; antimicrobial activity; ancient variety; total polyphenols contents; essential oils

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biomolecular Sciences, Universita degli Studi di Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
Interests: secondary metabolites; essential oils; plant extracts; antimicrobial activity; amtioxidant activity; anti-inflammatory activity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plant antimicrobial activity is a crucial aspect of search for new antimicrobial preparations.

In fact, essential oils and plant extracts, synthesized by various parts of the plant during the secondary metabolism, have been explored and assayed for their antimicrobial properties against bacteria and fungal and viral pathogens.

The presence of a great number of alkaloids, phenols, terpenic derivatives, and other antimicrobial compounds makes plant extracts extremely active against a wide variety of microorganisms which are pathogenic to human and animal health.

Indeed, the antimicrobial activity of plant derivatives is the basis of many applications, especially in medicine, in the veterinary field, in food  preservations, and in the control of plant diseases caused by phytopathogenic fungi, bacteria, etc.

Nevertheless, the rapid and effective control of plant diseases in CRP cultivations, food preservation, and human and veterinary diseases is generally achieved using synthetic pesticides, antifungals, and antibiotics. However, it is commonly known that rapid and effective control of plant diseases in the context of agriculture, food storage, and human and veterinary diseases is generally accomplished with synthetic pesticides, antifungals, and antibiotics.

These chemicals are often associated with negative effects both on the environment owing to their slow biodegradation and on human and animal health due to the persistence of toxic residues in food products. The risk of some microorganisms developing resistance and the high cost–benefit ratio are two other disadvantages of using synthetic compounds.

The results presented in many scientific articles have shown the efficacy of several essential oils and plant extracts with antimicrobial activity in different fields, suggesting their possible inclusion in antimicrobial preparations as potential control agents for the management of bacterial and fungal communities.

Plant secondary metabolites could also be used to a greater extent in the field of cultural heritage conservation, in particular by acting on the control of biodeterioration caused by micro-organisms, which is identified as a primary factor in damage to heritage works.

Studies concerning biodeterioration mechanisms caused by microbial communities might be useful to select appropriate prevention and control strategies. The control by essential oils and plant extracts against microbial strains is recommended considering the possible outcomes after the application of biocides:

1) No residues of the antimicrobial agents are left, and this avoids any undesirable effects on the heritage object;
2) Biocide residues are not removed, so recolonization of the surface is delayed as much as possible.

Generally, considering the unpredictability of the recolonization rate and the usual insufficient information related to commercial products, the first outcome is widely desired.

In this Special Issue, we invite researchers to contribute with research papers and reviews on the most innovative discoveries regarding the:

  • Role of essential oils and plant extracts as antimicrobial agents against pathogens which determine different diseases on human health;
  • Role of essential oils and plant extracts as antimicrobial agents in veterinary medicine;
  • Role of essential oils and plant extracts as antimicrobial agents on food preservation;
  • Role of essential oils and plant extracts as antimicrobial agents in plant diseases;
  • Role of essential oils and plant extracts as antimicrobial agents in the control of cultural heritage.
Dr. Laura Giamperi
Dr. Anahi Elena Ada Bucchini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • essential oils
  • plant extracts
  • antimicrobial activity
  • oxidative stress

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (11 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review, Other

12 pages, 3999 KiB  
Article
Plant Extracts as Antimicrobial Agents in Sustainable Conservation of Erythrina caffra (Fabaceae) Historical Trees
by Franco Palla, Anahì E. A. Bucchini, Laura Giamperi, Pasquale Marino and Francesco M. Raimondo
Antibiotics 2023, 12(7), 1098; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12071098 - 24 Jun 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
Microbial colonization plays a relevant role in the biodegradation and biodeterioration of cultural and natural heritage, representing a revealing problem in conservation strategy. In this study, the essential oil (EO) and hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), an aromatic perennial plant, [...] Read more.
Microbial colonization plays a relevant role in the biodegradation and biodeterioration of cultural and natural heritage, representing a revealing problem in conservation strategy. In this study, the essential oil (EO) and hydro-alcoholic extract (HAE) of Origanum vulgare L. (Lamiaceae), an aromatic perennial plant, representative of the Mediterranean basin, growing spontaneously and cultivated all over the world, were analysed. Natural products, such as essential oil and hydro-alcoholic extract, have strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties and are ad hoc applied for the sustainable conservation of Erithryna caffra (Fabaceae). The main taxa revealed in the damaging of these arboreal heritage, are Bacillus sp., Streptomyces sp. and Terribacillus sp. (as bacteria), Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp. and Chaetomium sp. (as fungi). GS-MS analysis identified carvacrol, thymol and their biosynthetic precursors γ-terpinene and p-cymene, as main components, and the antimicrobial efficiency assayed by in vitro methods (Agar Dish Diffusion, Well Plate Diffusion). In this study, by combining the application/exposure of both HAE and EO, the bacterial and fungal colonies development has been in vitro countered. The results confirm the possible use of plant products as a valid alternative to the traditional synthetic chemical biocides, with full respect to the environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1079 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Antiproliferative, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Phytochemical Analysis of Anogeissus dhofarica A. J. Scott
by Rabia Maqsood, Faizullah Khan, Saeed Ullah, Ajmal Khan, Habib Al-Jahdhami, Javid Hussain, Afaf M. Weli, Danial Maqsood, Shaikh Mizanoor Rahman, Amjad Hussain, Najeeb Ur Rehman and Ahmed Al-Harrasi
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020354 - 8 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2603
Abstract
In the current study, methanol (ADAM) extracts and their fractions, including chloroform (ADAC), ethyl acetate (ADAE), n-hexane (ADAH), and aqueous (ADAA) fractions, were prepared from aerial parts of Anogeissus dhofarica and evaluated for phytochemical assessment, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) analysis, and [...] Read more.
In the current study, methanol (ADAM) extracts and their fractions, including chloroform (ADAC), ethyl acetate (ADAE), n-hexane (ADAH), and aqueous (ADAA) fractions, were prepared from aerial parts of Anogeissus dhofarica and evaluated for phytochemical assessment, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) analysis, and in vitro bioassays. The qualitative analysis determined that, except alkaloids, all the representative groups were found to be present in the analyzed samples. Samples under quantitative study displayed the highest amount of total phenolic contents in the ADAE fraction, while total flavonoid contents were highest in the ADAM extract. The ADAM extract was subjected to HR-ESI-MS to identify the chemical constituents that presented twenty-two bioactive ingredients, outlined for the first time from A. dhofarica, mainly contributed by sub-class flavanones. In the case of antimicrobial activity, the ADAE extract revealed an effective zone of inhibition (ZOI) against the Gram-positive bacterial strain (Staphylococcus aureus) with an MIC value of 0.78 ± 0.3 mg/mL, while the ADAA extract exhibited higher ZOI (34 ± 0.12 mm) against the fungal strain Candida kruzei with an MIC of 0.78 mg/mL. In the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) analysis, the ADAE extract exhibited a maximum scavenging potential with an IC50 of 9.8 ± 1.2 μg/mL, succeeded by the ADAM extract with an IC50 of 17.4 ± 0.4 μg/mL free radical scavenging capability. In the antidiabetic assessment, the ADAE extract was the most effective, with an IC50 of 6.40 ± 0.1 μg/mL, while the same extract demonstrated prominent activity with 30.8% viability and an IC50 of 6.2 ± 0.3 μg/mL against breast cancer cell lines. The brine shrimp lethality assay demonstrated a correlation with the in vitro cytotoxicity assay, showing the ADAE extract as the most active, with a 70% mortality rate and an LC50 of 300.1 μg/mL. In conclusion, all the tested samples, especially the ADAE and ADAM extracts, have significant capabilities for the investigated activities that could be due to the presence of the bioactive compounds. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4060 KiB  
Article
Chemical Profile, Anti-Microbial and Anti-Inflammaging Activities of Santolina rosmarinifolia L. Essential Oil from Portugal
by Jorge M. Alves-Silva, Maria José Gonçalves, Ana Silva, Carlos Cavaleiro, Maria Teresa Cruz and Lígia Salgueiro
Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010179 - 15 Jan 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2975
Abstract
Fungal infections and the accompanying inflammatory responses are associated with great morbidity and mortality due to the frequent relapses triggered by an increased resistance to antifungal agents. Furthermore, this inflammatory state can be exacerbated during inflammaging and cellular senescence. Essential oils (EO) are [...] Read more.
Fungal infections and the accompanying inflammatory responses are associated with great morbidity and mortality due to the frequent relapses triggered by an increased resistance to antifungal agents. Furthermore, this inflammatory state can be exacerbated during inflammaging and cellular senescence. Essential oils (EO) are receiving increasing interest in the field of drug discovery due to their lipophilic nature and complex composition, making them suitable candidates in the development of new antifungal drugs and modulators of numerous molecular targets. This work chemically characterized the EO from Santolina rosmarinifolia L., collected in Setúbal (Portugal), and assessed its antifungal potential by determining its minimum inhibitory (MIC) and minimum lethal (MLC) concentration in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Standard Guidelines (CLSI) guidelines, as well as its effect on several Candida albicans virulence factors. The anti-inflammatory effect was unveiled using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages by assessing several pro-inflammatory mediators. The wound healing and anti-senescence potential of the EO was also disclosed. The EO was mainly characterized by β-pinene (29.6%), borneol (16.9%), myrcene (15.4%) and limonene (5.7%). It showed a strong antifungal effect against yeasts and filamentous fungi (MIC = 0.07–0.29 mg/mL). Furthermore, it inhibited dimorphic transition (MIC/16), decreased biofilm formation with a preeminent effect after 24 h (MIC/2) and disrupted preformed biofilms in C. albicans. Additionally, the EO decreased nitric oxide (NO) release (IC50 = 0.52 mg/mL) and pro-IL-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in LPS-stimulated macrophages, promoted wound healing (91% vs. 81% closed wound) and reduced cellular senescence (53% vs. 73% β-galactosidase-positive cells). Overall, this study highlights the relevant pharmacological properties of S. rosmarinifolia, opening new avenues for its industrial exploitation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 926 KiB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effect of Phytobiotics Mixture on Salmonella spp. Isolated from Chicken Broiler
by Hubert Iwiński, Karolina Wódz, Karolina Chodkowska, Tomasz Nowak and Henryk Różański
Antibiotics 2022, 11(7), 868; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11070868 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2802
Abstract
Background: The identification of natural antibacterial agents from various sources that can act effectively against disease-causing foodborne bacteria is one of the major concerns throughout the world. In the present study, a unique phytobiotics mixture containing thymol, menthol, linalool, trans-anethole, methyl salicylate, [...] Read more.
Background: The identification of natural antibacterial agents from various sources that can act effectively against disease-causing foodborne bacteria is one of the major concerns throughout the world. In the present study, a unique phytobiotics mixture containing thymol, menthol, linalool, trans-anethole, methyl salicylate, 1,8-cineole, and p-cymene was evaluated for antibacterial activity against selected strains of Salmonella spp. Results: The phytobiotics mixture was effective against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars Enteritidis, Typhimurium, and Kentucky. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of this unique mixture for these three pathogens were 1:256. Among these three strains, one S. Kentucky presented the most extensive resistance profiles to 18 antibiotics belonging to 5 classes of antibiotics. One of S. Typhimurium presents extensive resistance profiles to 14 antibiotics belonging to 5 classes of antibiotics. Conclusions: The results suggest that the phytobiotics mixture used in the experiment can be used as a strong natural antibacterial agent against Gram-negative foodborne pathogens such as S. Typhimurium, S. Kentucky, and S. Enteritidis. This is a preliminary analysis of the effectiveness of a phytobiotic product in an in vitro model, which may be the starting point for further studies, including in vivo animal models. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 1102 KiB  
Article
Antifungal, Antioxidant and Antibiofilm Activities of Essential Oils of Cymbopogon spp.
by Wafa Rhimi, Mona A. Mohammed, Aya Attia Koraney Zarea, Grazia Greco, Maria Tempesta, Domenico Otranto and Claudia Cafarchia
Antibiotics 2022, 11(6), 829; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11060829 - 20 Jun 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3573
Abstract
Essential oils (EOs) of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon proximus are known as sources of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, although their biological activities have not been well investigated. In this study, the compositions of C. citratus and C. proximus EOs of Egyptian origin and their [...] Read more.
Essential oils (EOs) of Cymbopogon citratus and Cymbopogon proximus are known as sources of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenoids, although their biological activities have not been well investigated. In this study, the compositions of C. citratus and C. proximus EOs of Egyptian origin and their antifungal and antibiofilm properties against Candida spp. and Malassezia furfur were investigated. Antioxidant activities were also evaluated. GC-MS showed the presence of nine and eight constituents in C. citratus and C. proximus EOs, respectively, with geranial and neral as the major compounds of C. citratus EO and piperitone and α-terpinolene as the major compounds of C. proximus EO. Both EOs showed antifungal (MIC values ranging from 1.25 to 20 µL/ mL) and antibiofilm activities (% of reduction ranging from 27.65 ± 11.7 to 96.39 ± 2.8) against all yeast species. The antifungal and antibiofilm activities of C. citratus EO were significantly higher than those observed for C. proximus EO. M. furfur was more susceptible to both EOs than Candida spp. Both EOs exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. This study suggests that C. citratus and C. proximus EOs might be an excellent source of antifungal, antibiofilm and antioxidant drugs and might be useful for preventing Malassezia infections in both medical and veterinary medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

13 pages, 3807 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Potential of Conjugated Lignin/Morin/Chitosan Combinations as a Function of System Complexity
by Zvezdelina Yaneva, Georgi Beev, Nikolina Rusenova, Donika Ivanova, Milena Tzanova, Daniela Stoeva and Monika Toneva
Antibiotics 2022, 11(5), 650; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11050650 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2700
Abstract
As natural biopolymers, chitosan and lignin are characterized by their good biocompatibility, high biodegradability and satisfactory biosafety. The active polymers’ functional groups are responsible for the potential of these biomaterials for use as carrier matrices in the construction of polymer–drug conjugates with prospective [...] Read more.
As natural biopolymers, chitosan and lignin are characterized by their good biocompatibility, high biodegradability and satisfactory biosafety. The active polymers’ functional groups are responsible for the potential of these biomaterials for use as carrier matrices in the construction of polymer–drug conjugates with prospective applicability in the fields of medicine, food and agriculture—subjects that have attracted attention in recent years. Hence, the aim of this research was to place substantial emphasis on the antimicrobial potential of flavonoid–biopolymer complex systems by assessment of the probable synergetic, additive or antagonistic effects arising as a function of systemic complexity. The joint implementation of morin, chitosan and lignin in conjugated two- and three-component systems provoked species-dependent antimicrobial synergistic and/or potentiation effects against the activity of the tested bacterial strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and the clinical isolate Bacillus cereus. The double combinations of morin–chitosan and morin–lignin resulted in a 100% increase in their inhibitory activity against S. aureus as compared to the pure biocompounds. The inhibitory effects of the three-component system, in decreasing order, were: S. aureus (IZ = 15.7 mm) > P. aeruginosa (IZ = 15 mm) > B. cereus and E. coli (IZ = 14 mm). All tested morin-containing two- and three-component systems exhibited clear and significant potentiation effects, especially against S. aureus and B. cereus. The results obtained are a prerequisite for the potential use of the studied conjugated lignin–morin–chitosan combinations in the construction of novel drug-carrier formulations with improved bioactivities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1482 KiB  
Article
Anti-Salmonella and Antibiofilm Potency of Salvia officinalis L. Essential Oil against Antibiotic-Resistant Salmonella enterica
by Samy Selim, Mohammed S. Almuhayawi, Hussain Alqhtani, Soad K. Al Jaouni, Fayez M. Saleh, Mona Warrad and Nashwa Hagagy
Antibiotics 2022, 11(4), 489; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11040489 - 6 Apr 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3034
Abstract
Raw milk is a significant vehicle for the transmission of different infections. In the present study, we focused on Salmonella enterica from raw milk and its resistance to various antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, we have investigated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of essential oil [...] Read more.
Raw milk is a significant vehicle for the transmission of different infections. In the present study, we focused on Salmonella enterica from raw milk and its resistance to various antibacterial drugs. Furthermore, we have investigated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of essential oil (EO) obtained from Salvia officinalis L. leaves that were collected from the Aljouf region, Saudi Arabia, against S. enterica. One-dozen strains of S. enterica were found in a batch of a hundred milk samples, and those S. enterica strains were shown to be resistant to several antibiotics, particularly the β-lactam group of antimicrobial drugs. Against multidrug-resistant S. enterica, the inhibitory zones for EO from S. officinalis leaves were found to be 21 mm in diameter. S. officinalis EO at 5% concentration showed a remarkable in vitro inhibitory activity toward the biofilm growth of different S. enterica isolates. Analysis of EO by GC–MS identified 21 distinct components, accounting for 89.94% of the total oil component. The most prominent compounds were 1,8-cineole (39.18%), β-caryophyllene (12.8%), and α--terpineol (10.3%). Taken together, our results unequivocally confirm that the S. officinalis EOs exert numerous bioactivities. Thus, the well-deserved attention on S. officinalis EO usage as a food preservative and adjunctive remedy for bacterial food-borne diseases is justified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1352 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity of Eucalyptus globulus, Azadirachta indica, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Rheum palmatum Extracts and Rhein against Porphyromonas gingivalis
by Lena Katharina Müller-Heupt, Nina Vierengel, Jonathan Groß, Till Opatz, James Deschner and Friederike D. von Loewenich
Antibiotics 2022, 11(2), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11020186 - 31 Jan 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4432
Abstract
Novel plant-derived antimicrobials are of interest in dentistry, especially in the treatment of periodontitis, since the use of established substances is associated with side effects and concerns of antimicrobial resistance have been raised. Thus, the present study was performed to quantify the antimicrobial [...] Read more.
Novel plant-derived antimicrobials are of interest in dentistry, especially in the treatment of periodontitis, since the use of established substances is associated with side effects and concerns of antimicrobial resistance have been raised. Thus, the present study was performed to quantify the antimicrobial efficacy of crude plant extracts against Porphyromonas gingivalis, a pathogen associated with periodontitis. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Eucalyptus globulus leaf, Azadirachta indica leaf, Glycyrrhiza glabra root and Rheum palmatum root extracts were determined by broth microdilution for P. gingivalis ATCC 33277 according to CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute). The MICs for the E. globulus, A. indica and G. glabra extracts ranged from 64 mg/L to 1024 mg/L. The lowest MIC was determined for an ethanolic R. palmatum extract with 4 mg/L. The MIC for the anthraquinone rhein was also measured, as the antimicrobial activity of P. palmatum root extracts can be partially traced back to rhein. Rhein showed a remarkably low MIC of 0.125 mg/L. However, the major compounds of the R. palmatum root extract were not further separated and purified. In conclusion, R. palmatum root extracts should be further studied for the treatment of periodontitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4805 KiB  
Article
Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, and Anticancer Studies of Leaf Extract of Simarouba glauca DC In Vitro
by Shanmuga Priya Ramasamy, Anitha Rajendran, Muthukrishnan Pallikondaperumal, Priya Sundararajan, Fohad Mabood Husain, Altaf Khan, Mohammed Jamal Hakeem, Abdullah A. Alyousef, Thamer Albalawi, Pravej Alam, Hazim M. Ali and Abdulaziz Alqasim
Antibiotics 2022, 11(1), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11010059 - 3 Jan 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3871
Abstract
The current study aimed to screen the preliminary phytochemicals in the leaf extract of the medicinal plant Simarouba glauca and to analyze its potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The phytochemical profile of the methanol extract was analyzed, and bioactive compounds were identified [...] Read more.
The current study aimed to screen the preliminary phytochemicals in the leaf extract of the medicinal plant Simarouba glauca and to analyze its potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. The phytochemical profile of the methanol extract was analyzed, and bioactive compounds were identified using chromatography, FTIR and GCMS. Antimicrobial activity and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) were determined against 14 bacterial and 6 fungal strains. Moreover, the synergistic effect of a plant extract with commercially available antibiotics was also evaluated using the checkerboard method. The ethanolic and methanolic extracts showed exclusive activity against S. aureus and profound activity against E. coli and S. marcescens. Upon comparing breakpoints, methanolic extract demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 3.2 mg/mL against the test pathogens. Furthermore, the extracts demonstrated potential antioxidant activity; methanol extract had higher antioxidant potential compared to the ethanol extract. The major proactive bioactive compound with maximum antioxidant capacity was observed to be terpenoids. The methanol extract of S. glauca showed significant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with an IC50 value of 16.12 µg/mL. The overall results of our work provide significant evidence for the usage of methanolic extract of S. glauca as an efficient ethnomedicinal agent and a potential candidate for relieving many human ailments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research, Other

24 pages, 1156 KiB  
Review
Prospecting Plant Extracts and Bioactive Molecules with Antimicrobial Activity in Brazilian Biomes: A Review
by José Carlos Eloi de Queiroz, José Roberto S. A. Leite and Andreanne Gomes Vasconcelos
Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 427; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030427 - 21 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3356
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is currently one of the greatest threats to global health, food security, and development. In this aspect, medicinal plants have been studied to support the development of viable alternatives to prevent and treat infectious diseases. This study aimed to perform a [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance is currently one of the greatest threats to global health, food security, and development. In this aspect, medicinal plants have been studied to support the development of viable alternatives to prevent and treat infectious diseases. This study aimed to perform a review of the literature comprising the antimicrobial activity of vegetable species from Brazilian biomes. We selected 67 original scientific publications about extracts, fractions, or isolated molecules from plants in the Brazilian biomes, published between 2016 and 2020 in Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Scielo. Data demonstrated that 98 plant species, especially collected in the Cerrado, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga biomes, were tested against 40 fungi and 78 bacterial strains. Bioactive fractions of Eucalyptus globulus methanolic stump wood extract were active against Candida albicans and C. tropicalis (MIC 2.50 µg/mL). The catechin purified from Banisteriopsis argyrophylla leaves had activity against C. glabrata (MIC 2.83 µg/mL) and ethanolic extract obtained from Caryocar coriaceum bark and fruit pulp exhibited MIC of 4.1 µg/mL on Microsporum canis. For bacteria, compounds isolated from the dichloromethane extract of Peritassa campestris, lectin extracted from a saline extract of Portulaca elatior and essential oils of Myrciaria pilosa exhibited significant effect against Bacillus megaterium (MIC 0.78 µg/mL), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 4.06 µg/mL) and Staphylococcus aureus strains (MIC 5.0 µg/mL), respectively. The findings support the antimicrobial and bioeconomic potential of plants from Brazilian biodiversity and their promising health applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

Other

Jump to: Research, Review

13 pages, 1498 KiB  
Brief Report
The Use of Star Anise-Cinnamon Essential Oil as an Alternative Antibiotic in Prevention of Salmonella Infections in Yellow Chickens
by Changcheng Li, Ziheng Xu, Wenyan Chen, Chenyu Zhou, Can Wang, Min Wang, Jingzhen Liang and Ping Wei
Antibiotics 2022, 11(11), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11111579 - 9 Nov 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3435
Abstract
Salmonella is capable of harming human and animal health, and its multidrug resistance (MDR) has always been a public health problem. In addition, antibiotic-free or antibiotic-reduced policies have been implemented in poultry production. Therefore, the search for antibiotic alternatives is more urgent than [...] Read more.
Salmonella is capable of harming human and animal health, and its multidrug resistance (MDR) has always been a public health problem. In addition, antibiotic-free or antibiotic-reduced policies have been implemented in poultry production. Therefore, the search for antibiotic alternatives is more urgent than ever before. The aim of this study was to assess the antibacterial activity of star anise-cinnamon essential oil (SCEO) in vitro and its prophylactic effect against the infections of Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella give, and Salmonella kentucky in vivo. The results demonstrated that SCEO is effective against Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella give, and Salmonella kentucky in vitro. Supplementation with SCEO could significantly decrease the infections of Salmonella pullorum and Salmonella give, whereas it could slightly but not significantly decrease the infection of Salmonella kentucky, while also significantly alleviating the body weight (BW) loss caused by the infections of Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella give, and Salmonella kentucky in Yellow chickens. The SCEO had the best prophylactic effect against the infection of Salmonella give in Yellow chickens, followed by the infection of Salmonella pullorum and the infection of Salmonella kentucky. The SCEO, used as an antibiotic alternative, could be an effective prevention strategy against the infections of Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella give, and Salmonella kentucky in Yellow chickens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activities of Plant Extracts)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop