10th Anniversary of Antibiotics—Recent Advances in Plant-Derived Antibiotics

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 21542

Special Issue Editors

Research Scientist IV, doTERRA International, Pleasant Grove, UT 84062, USA
Interests: natural products; medicinal chemistry; drug discovery; biological activities; novel bioactive compounds; structure elucidation; essential oils; pharmaceutical resources; preclinical research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Antibiotics journal was funded in 2012. During the past ten years, Antibiotics has launched more than 100 Special Issues and published more than 1500 papers. The journal covers all aspects of antibiotic discovery, use, and preservation. The year 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of Antibiotics. We are thus excited to celebrate the Antibiotics journal’s 10th anniversary with a Special issue.

This Special Issue welcomes both research and review papers in the most recent and innovative developments of plant-derived antibiotics. We hope the Special Issue can further encourage and promote the scientific contributions of researchers in this field. If your paper is well prepared and approved for publication, you may be eligible for discounts for your publication.

Prof. Dr. William N. Setzer
Dr. Noura Dosoky
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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.

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4158 KiB  
Article
Thymus zygis Essential Oil: Phytochemical Characterization, Bioactivity Evaluation and Synergistic Effect with Antibiotics against Staphylococcus aureus
by Alexandra Coimbra, Sónia Miguel, Maximiano Ribeiro, Paula Coutinho, Lúcia Silva, Ana Paula Duarte and Susana Ferreira
Antibiotics 2022, 11(2), 146; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11020146 - 24 Jan 2022
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3080
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a nosocomial bacterium causing different infectious diseases, ranging from skin and soft-tissue infections to more serious and life-threatening infections such as sepsis, meningitis and endocarditis, which may be exacerbated by antibiotic resistance. Plant products may be seen as an alternative [...] Read more.
Staphylococcus aureus is a nosocomial bacterium causing different infectious diseases, ranging from skin and soft-tissue infections to more serious and life-threatening infections such as sepsis, meningitis and endocarditis, which may be exacerbated by antibiotic resistance. Plant products may be seen as an alternative as antibacterial agents, namely, against S. aureus. Thus, the aim of this work was to characterize the chemical composition and evaluate the bioactive properties of the T. zygis essential oil (EO), with a focus on antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was used to assess the chemical composition of the T. zygis EO, and the antioxidant activity was evaluated using the DPPH method and β-carotene-bleaching assay. The antimicrobial activity against S. aureus strains, the interaction with different antibiotics and the attenuation of this bacterium’s virulence were evaluated. The T. zygis EO showed antioxidant activity acting through two different mechanisms and antibacterial activity against S. aureus, with antibiofilm and antihaemolytic properties. This EO also demonstrated synergistic or additive interactions in combination with ampicillin, ciprofloxacin or vancomycin against S. aureus strains and, in some cases, changed the antibiotic-resistance phenotype from resistant to susceptible. Therefore, the present work demonstrates the good bioactive properties of the EO of T. zygis, mainly the antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, revealing its potential to be used as an antibacterial agent. Full article
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10 pages, 1321 KiB  
Article
Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Essential Oil against Planktonic and Biofilm Cells Isolated from Canine Otological Infections
by Vinicius de Queiroz Albuquerque, Maria Janeila Carvalho Soares, Maria Nágila Carneiro Matos, Rafaela Mesquita Bastos Cavalcante, Jesús Alberto Pérez Guerrero, Tigressa Helena Soares Rodrigues, Geovany Amorim Gomes, Rodrigo Fonseca de Medeiros Guedes, Débora de Souza Collares Maia Castelo-Branco, Isaac Neto Goes da Silva and Victor Alves Carneiro
Antibiotics 2022, 11(1), 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics11010004 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2601
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil (CZEO) and their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus strains isolated from canine otitis. First, the CZEO chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG-MS). External [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical profile of Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oil (CZEO) and their antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus strains isolated from canine otitis. First, the CZEO chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (CG-MS). External otitis samples collected from dogs were submitted to staphylococcal isolation, followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry identification. The antimicrobial action was tested against the isolates using the disk-diffusion and microdilution methods. The antibiofilm activity was evaluated by CZEO-based concentrations, subMIC for biofilm formation and supraMIC against preformed biofilm, quantified by crystal violet (CV) staining and CFU counting. The chemical analysis revealed that (E)-cinnamaldehyde, eugenol and (E)-cinnamyl acetate were the main compounds in the CZEO, representing 77.42, 8.17 and 4.50%, respectively. Two strains of three different species, S. saprophyticus, S. schleiferi and S. pseudintermedius, were identified. The disk-diffusion test showed an inhibitory zone diameter, ranging from 34.0 to 49.5 mm, while the MIC and MBC values were around 500 and 1000 µg/mL. SubMIC demonstrated an inhibition on biofilm formation against 4 out the 6 strains tested. On mature biofilm, the CZEO-based supraMIC groups had slightly change on biomass, however, the biofilm cell viability decreased the CFU in 3 magnitude orders. Full article
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20 pages, 1757 KiB  
Article
Essential Oil Blends: The Potential of Combined Use for Respiratory Tract Infections
by Stephanie Leigh-de Rapper, Alvaro Viljoen and Sandy van Vuuren
Antibiotics 2021, 10(12), 1517; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121517 - 10 Dec 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 4148
Abstract
This study investigated the potential efficacy of 369 commercial essential oil combinations for antimicrobial, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory activity with the aim of identifying synergy among essential oils commonly used in combination by aromatherapists for respiratory purposes. Essential oil combinations were assessed for their [...] Read more.
This study investigated the potential efficacy of 369 commercial essential oil combinations for antimicrobial, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory activity with the aim of identifying synergy among essential oils commonly used in combination by aromatherapists for respiratory purposes. Essential oil combinations were assessed for their antimicrobial activities using a panel of Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast strains associated with respiratory tract infections. The antimicrobial activity was measured by determining the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of microbial growth. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (ΣFIC) was calculated to determine the antimicrobial interactions between the essential oils in the combination. The toxicity of the essential oil combinations was tested in vitro using the brine shrimp lethality assay, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells and A549 lung cancer cell lines. In addition, an inflammatory response was evaluated measuring nitric oxide production. The essential oils, when in combination, demonstrated an increased antimicrobial effect, a reduction in toxicity and provided improved anti-inflammatory outcomes. Five distinct combinations [Cupressus sempervirens (cypress) in combination with Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), Hyssopus officinalis (hyssop) in combination with Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), Origanum marjorana (marjoram) in combination with M. alternifolia, Myrtus communis (myrtle) in combination with M. alternifolia and Origanum vulgare (origanum) in combination with M. alternifolia] were found to be the most promising, demonstrating antimicrobial activity, reduced cytotoxicity and improved anti-inflammatory effects. With the increased prevalence of respiratory tract infections and the growing antimicrobial resistance development associated with antimicrobial treatments, this study provides a promising complementary alternative for the appropriate use of a selection of essential oil combinations for use in the respiratory tract. Full article
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10 pages, 285 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Carlina acaulis L. Essential Oil and Its Nanoemulsion
by Antonio Rosato, Alexia Barbarossa, Ahmed M. Mustafa, Giulia Bonacucina, Diego Romano Perinelli, Riccardo Petrelli, Filippo Maggi and Eleonora Spinozzi
Antibiotics 2021, 10(12), 1451; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10121451 - 25 Nov 2021
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2014
Abstract
Plants are considered to be an excellent source of new compounds with antibiotic activity. Carlina acaulis L. is a medicinal plant whose essential oil (EO) is mainly characterized by the polyacetylene carlina oxide, which has antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
Plants are considered to be an excellent source of new compounds with antibiotic activity. Carlina acaulis L. is a medicinal plant whose essential oil (EO) is mainly characterized by the polyacetylene carlina oxide, which has antimicrobial properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of C. acaulis EO, carlina oxide, and nanoemulsion (NE) containing the EO. The EO was obtained through plant roots hydrodistillation, and carlina oxide was purified from it through silica gel column chromatography. The NE containing C. acaulis EO was prepared with the high-pressure homogenization method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined against several bacterial and fungal strains for all the C. acaulis-derived products. The latter resulted active versus all the screened Gram-positive bacterial strains and also on all the fungal strains with low MIC values. For yeast, the EO and carlina oxide showed good MIC values. The EO-NE demonstrated a better activity than the pure EO on all the tested bacterial and fungal strains. The results suggest that C. acaulis-derived products could be potential candidates for the development of natural antibacterial and antifungal agents. Full article
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15 pages, 1847 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Activity of Essential Oils from Three Artemisia Species against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides of Mango
by Xing Huang, Tiantian Liu, Chunxiang Zhou, Yulin Huang, Xing Liu and Haibin Yuan
Antibiotics 2021, 10(11), 1331; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10111331 - 01 Nov 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2496
Abstract
Post-harvest diseases of mango reduce fruit quality and cause severe yield losses with completely unmarketable fruits. The most common diseases of mangos are anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). In this study, the antibacterial activities of essential oils from Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia lavandulaefolia [...] Read more.
Post-harvest diseases of mango reduce fruit quality and cause severe yield losses with completely unmarketable fruits. The most common diseases of mangos are anthracnose (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides). In this study, the antibacterial activities of essential oils from Artemisia scoparia, Artemisia lavandulaefolia, and Artemisia annua against C. gloeosporioides were tested. The results showed that the essential oil of A. scoparia was more effective by the agar diffusion method; the EC50 value was 9.32 µL/mL. The inhibition rate was 100%, at a concentration of 10 μL/mL, through the spore germination method. The morphological changes of the mycelium were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the mycelia treated with essential oils showed shrinking, deformity, fracture, and dryness through SEM. A. scoparia essential oil was inoculated in vivo and subjected to paroxysm testing under natural conditions. A. scoparia had significantly inhibitory activity, and the inhibition rate was 66.23% in vivo inoculation tests after 10 days. The inhibition rate was 92.06% in the paroxysm test under natural conditions after 15 days. Finally, A. acoparia essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The main compounds were 2-ethenyl-Naphthalene (23.5%), 2,4-pentadiynyl-Benzene (11.8%), 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-propenyl)-Benzene (10.0%), β-Pinene (8.0%), and 1-methyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-1,4-Cyclohexadiene (6.3%). The results have revealed the potential use of A. scoparia essential oil against post-harvest fungal pathogens C. gloeosporioides. Full article
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13 pages, 2475 KiB  
Article
Effect of Essential Oils on the Inhibition of Biofilm and Quorum Sensing in Salmonella enteritidis 13076 and Salmonella typhimurium 14028
by Yuliany Guillín, Marlon Cáceres, Rodrigo Torres, Elena Stashenko and Claudia Ortiz
Antibiotics 2021, 10(10), 1191; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10101191 - 01 Oct 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3483
Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms represents a global challenge that has led to a search for new antimicrobial compounds. Essential oils (EOs) from medicinal aromatic plants are a potential alternative for conventional antibiotics. In this study, the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm potential of 15 [...] Read more.
The emergence of multidrug-resistant microorganisms represents a global challenge that has led to a search for new antimicrobial compounds. Essential oils (EOs) from medicinal aromatic plants are a potential alternative for conventional antibiotics. In this study, the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm potential of 15 EOs was evaluated on planktonic and biofilm-associated cells of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis ATCC 13076 (S. enteritidis) and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium ATCC 14028 (S. typhimurium). In total, 4 out of 15 EOs showed antimicrobial activity and 6 EOs showed anti-biofilm activity against both strains. The EO from the Lippia origanoides chemotype thymol-carvacrol II (LTC II) presented the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC50 = 0.37 mg mL−1) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC = 0.75 mg mL−1) values. This EO also presented the highest percentage of biofilm inhibition (>65%) on both microorganisms, which could be confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. Transcriptional analysis showed significant changes in the expression of the genes related to quorum sensing and the formation of the biofilm. EOs could inhibit the expression of genes involved in the quorum sensing mechanism (luxR, luxS, qseB, sdiA) and biofilm formation (csgA, csgB, csgD, flhD, fliZ, and motB), indicating their potential use as anti-biofilm antimicrobial agents. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the action mechanisms of essential oils on the bacterial cells under study. Full article
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13 pages, 2908 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial Activity and Composition of Five Rosmarinus (Now Salvia spp. and Varieties) Essential Oils
by Ylenia Pieracci, Daniela Ciccarelli, Silvia Giovanelli, Luisa Pistelli, Guido Flamini, Claudio Cervelli, Francesca Mancianti, Simona Nardoni, Fabrizio Bertelloni and Valentina Virginia Ebani
Antibiotics 2021, 10(9), 1090; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10091090 - 09 Sep 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2557
Abstract
Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. and Salvia jordanii J.B.Walker are aromatic evergreen shrubs belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Their aerial parts have been used since ancient times as natural preservatives. The present study reported the investigation of the chemical profile and the extraction yield of [...] Read more.
Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. and Salvia jordanii J.B.Walker are aromatic evergreen shrubs belonging to the Lamiaceae family. Their aerial parts have been used since ancient times as natural preservatives. The present study reported the investigation of the chemical profile and the extraction yield of the essential oils (EOs) obtained from the dried aerial parts of four cultivars of Salvia rosmarinus (‘Boule’; ‘Vicomte de Noailles’; ‘Gorizia’; ‘Joyce de Baggio’) and the species S. jordanii, together with their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The phytochemical investigation evidenced a predominance of oxygenated monoterpenes in all the samples (57.5–77.1%), except in ‘Boule’, in which the hydrocarbon form prevailed (50.2%). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of the matrix taxa × compounds showed that nine compounds have a significant discriminating function between the samples. ‘Vicomte de Noailles’ was characterized by high amounts of camphor and 14-hydroxy-9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene, while ‘Gorizia’ and Jord differed in their predominance of camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, and α-humulene. Lastly, ‘Boule’ and ‘Joyce de Baggio’ segregated separately and were characterized by high amounts of α-pinene, myrcene, and verbenone. The selected EOs presented a moderate antibacterial activity on the tested bacterial strains and resulted not active on the tested yeast species. Full article
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