Antimicrobial Activity 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 (30 January 2024) | Viewed by 13853

Special Issue Editors

Departamento de Inmunología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
Interests: antimicrobial activity; medicinal plants; synthetic compounds; bioguided evaluation; drug resistant mechanisms; immunology; infectious diseases; antimycobacterial compounds
Unidad de Investigación Médica en Farmacología, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de México, Mexico
Interests: pharmacognosy; medicinal plants; bioactive secondary metabolites; hepatoprotection; antimycobacterial compounds

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Traditional medicine summarizes the millenary knowledge based on the customs, rituals, and activities of indigenous peoples and civilizations around the world; part of this knowledge lies in the use of plants, which are a potential source of leading compounds or molecules. A high percentage of drugs for clinical use approved in the last 40 years have been developed from products of natural origin or their semi-synthetic derivatives, and a significant number of them come from plants. In this way, plants have represented a rich source of compounds with diverse activities that promote human health, among which are anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, or anti-infectious activities. The development of pharmaceutical products from plants requires a long and extensive research, which begins with the selection of the plant, often based on ethnomedical knowledge of its use. Under ethnomedical or non-ethnomedical criteria, the plant is selected, then it is collected, its taxonomic identity is confirmed and later it is processed for the extraction of its ctivee principles, obtaining the respective plant extract, which can be polar or non-polar. The most commonly solvents used in the preparation of plant extracts are of different polarity, the most polar are water, ethanol, or methanol; those of intermediate polarity are dichloromethane, chloroform, and ethyl acetate, and those of low polarity or non-polar are benzene, n-hexane, or ether. The extraction process is complemented by using, in addition to solvents, different extraction procedures, such as maceration, digestion, decoction, infusion, percolation, distillation, or extractions assisted with ultrasound, microwave, or Soxhlet. The studies of the biological properties of these extracts are generally carried out in a bioguided way. The isolation of the active compounds is performed through chromatographic techniques, such as High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), these procedures have accelerated and facilitated the isolation of the active principles. The final part of this process involves the chemical characterization of the isolated active ingredients, where various spectroscopic techniques are fundamental, including UV-visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy. 

A current global health problem is antimicrobial resistance caused by microorganisms responsible for the infectious diseases that afflict humanity today. Antimicrobial resistance occurs when different types of microorganisms from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites are no longer susceptible to antimicrobials in such a way that neither antibiotics nor other drugs are effective for the control of pathogens, with the consequent worsening of the disease that can lead not only to the death of the patient but also to the transmission of the pathogenic agent with such antimicrobial resistance, becoming a public health problem.

Diseases that were thought to be under control have re-emerged, antibiotic resistance being one of the main factors responsible of the re-emergency. WHO considers antimicrobial resistance as one of the top 10 global public health threats facing humanity. Without decisive actions driven to address antimicrobial resistance, it is estimated that by 2050 the leading cause of death worldwide will be from antimicrobial-resistant infectious diseases. Ten fundamental actions have been proposed to contain antimicrobial resistance in the medium term, including the search for and optimization of new drugs, as well as the rational use of existing drugs. Thus, plants remain an unsurpassed source of leading compounds or molecules with potential antimicrobial activity.

The present Special Issue aims to gather current information on the antimicrobial activity of plant extracts; papers on the activity of extracts against bacteria, fungi, and parasites are welcome. Preferably, the studies should present the total or partial characterization of the extracts and ideally describe, identify, or characterize the compound(s) responsible for the antimicrobial activity; additionally, we welcome studies describing the antimicrobial activity of standardized or characterized plant extracts. It is recommended that the studies describe the selection of the plant or plants used, especially if they were selected for their ethnomedical utility.

Dr. Julieta Luna-Herrera
Dr. María Adelina Jimenez Arellanes
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • traditional medicine
  • medicinal plants
  • Plant extracts
  • antimicrobial activity
  • drug resistance
  • phytotherapy
  • standardized plant extracts
  • bioactive compounds or extracts

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1058 KiB  
Article
Lower Concentrations of Amphotericin B Combined with Ent-Hardwickiic Acid Are Effective against Candida Strains
by Maria V. Sousa Teixeira, Jennyfer A. Aldana-Mejía, Márcia E. da Silva Ferreira and Niege A. J. Cardoso Furtado
Antibiotics 2023, 12(3), 509; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12030509 - 03 Mar 2023
Viewed by 1323
Abstract
Life-threatening Candida infections have increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the already limited arsenal of antifungal drugs has become even more restricted due to its side effects associated with complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Drug combination strategies have the potential to reduce the risk [...] Read more.
Life-threatening Candida infections have increased with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the already limited arsenal of antifungal drugs has become even more restricted due to its side effects associated with complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Drug combination strategies have the potential to reduce the risk of side effects without loss of therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the combination of ent-hardwickiic acid with low concentrations of amphotericin B against Candida strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for amphotericin B and ent-hardwickiic acid as isolated compounds and for 77 combinations of amphotericin B and ent-hardwickiic acid concentrations that were assessed by using the checkerboard microdilution method. Time–kill assays were performed in order to assess the fungistatic or fungicidal nature of the different combinations. The strategy of combining both compounds markedly reduced the MIC values from 16 µg/mL to 1 µg/mL of amphotericin B and from 12.5 µg/mL to 6.25 µg/mL of ent-hardwickiic acid, from isolated to combined, against C. albicans resistant to azoles. The combination of 1 µg/mL of amphotericin B with 6.25 µg/mL of ent-hardwickiic acid killed all the cells of the same strain within four hours of incubation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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17 pages, 975 KiB  
Article
Chemical and Biological Studies of Achillea setacea Herba Essential Oil—First Report on Some Antimicrobial and Antipathogenic Features
by Ioana Cristina Marinas, Eliza Oprea, Diana Madalina Gaboreanu, Gratiela Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, Mihaela Buleandra, Eugenia Nagoda, Irinel Adriana Badea and Mariana Carmen Chifiriuc
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 371; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020371 - 10 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1732
Abstract
The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Achillea setacea essential oil was evaluated, as well as its biocompatibility (LDH and MTT methods). DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods were applied for [...] Read more.
The essential oil of Achillea setacea was isolated by hydrodistillation and characterized by GC-MS. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Achillea setacea essential oil was evaluated, as well as its biocompatibility (LDH and MTT methods). DPPH, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods were applied for antioxidant activity evaluation, while qualitative and quantitative assays (inhibition zone diameter, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration), NO release (by nitrite concentration determination), and microbial adhesion capacity to the inert substrate (the biofilm microtiter method) were used to investigate the antimicrobial potential. A total of 52 compounds were identified by GC-MS in A. setacea essential oil, representing 97.43% of the total area. The major constituents were borneol (32.97%), 1,8-cineole (14.94%), camphor (10.13%), artemisia ketone (4.70%), α-terpineol (3.23%), and γ-eudesmol (3.23%). With MICs ranging from 0.78 to 30 μg/mL, the A. setacea essential oil proved to inhibit the microbial adhesion and induce the NO release. To the best of our knowledge, the present study reports for the first time the antimicrobial activity of A. setacea EO against clinically and biotechnologically important microbial strains, such as Shigella flexneri, Listeria ivanovii, L. innocua, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida glabrata, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus nigricans, Cladosporium cladosporioides, and Alternaria alternata, demonstrating its antimicrobial applications beyond the clinical field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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19 pages, 2832 KiB  
Article
Chemical Constituents from Streblus taxoides Wood with Their Antibacterial and Antityrosinase Activities Plus in Silico Study
by Kedsaraporn Parndaeng, Thanet Pitakbut, Chatchai Wattanapiromsakul, Jae Sung Hwang, Wandee Udomuksorn and Sukanya Dej-adisai
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 319; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020319 - 03 Feb 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1419
Abstract
Hyperpigmentation frequently occurs after inflammation from bacterial infection. Thus, the inhibition activity of tyrosinase, the key enzyme to catalyze the melanogenesis and/or inhibition of bacterial infection, could decrease melanin production. Hence, the potential inhibitors could be discovered from natural products. ω-Hydroxymoracin C ( [...] Read more.
Hyperpigmentation frequently occurs after inflammation from bacterial infection. Thus, the inhibition activity of tyrosinase, the key enzyme to catalyze the melanogenesis and/or inhibition of bacterial infection, could decrease melanin production. Hence, the potential inhibitors could be discovered from natural products. ω-Hydroxymoracin C (1), a new compound with two other 2-arylbenzofurans, i.e., moracin M (2) and moracin C (3), and two stilbenes, i.e., 3, 4, 3’, 5′-tetrahydroxybibenzyl (4) and piceatannol (5), were isolated from the wood of Streblus taxoides. Compound 4 showed a strong inhibitory activity against tyrosinase enzyme with an IC50 value of 35.65 µg/mL, followed by compound 2 with an IC50 value of 47.34 µg/mL. Conversely, compound 1, 3 and 5 showed moderate activity, with IC50 values of 109.64, 128.67 and 149.73 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, compound 1 and 3 showed an antibacterial effect against some Staphylococcus spp. Thus, the isolated compounds exhibited potential antityrosine and antibacterial effects. Additionally, an in silico study was performed in order to predict theoretical molecular interactions between the obtained metabolites from S. taxoides and tyrosinase as an extended in vitro enzyme binding assay experiment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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18 pages, 9272 KiB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Characterized Silver Nanoparticle Using Cullen tomentosum and Assessment of Its Antibacterial Activity
by John Awungnjia Asong, Ebenezer Kwabena Frimpong, Hlabana Alfred Seepe, Lebogang Katata-Seru, Stephen Oluwaseun Amoo and Adeyemi Oladapo Aremu
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020203 - 18 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1464
Abstract
Plants serve as an important source of medicine and provide suitable candidate compounds to produce eco-friendly therapeutic agents. They also represent a source of bio-reducer and stabilizer for the development of nanoparticles for downstream applications. This study focused on the green synthesis of [...] Read more.
Plants serve as an important source of medicine and provide suitable candidate compounds to produce eco-friendly therapeutic agents. They also represent a source of bio-reducer and stabilizer for the development of nanoparticles for downstream applications. This study focused on the green synthesis of silver nanoparticle (CTAgNP) using Cullen tomentosum (Thunb.) J.W. Grimes acetone extract and the evaluation of the antibacterial activity of the plant extract and biogenic nanoparticles against two Gram-positive bacteria strains, namely Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus. In addition, the phytochemical profile of C. tomentosum was established using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The antibacterial effect of the extract and CTAgNP was moderate based on the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values obtained. The MIC values of 2.6 mg/mL and 3.1 mg/mL were recorded for C. tomentosum extract against B. cereus and S. aureus, respectively. On the other hand, the CTAgNP had MIC values of 1.5 mg/mL and 2.6 mg/mL against B. cereus and S. aureus, respectively. The nanoparticle exhibited surface charge of −37 ± 7.67 mV and average hydro-dynamic size of 145 nm. X-ray diffraction illustrates that metallic nanoparticles were formed and had a face-centered cubic structure. Microscopic and spectroscopic techniques revealed that the CTAgNP was covered by a protective shell layer constituted of organic compounds originating from the plant extract. The acetone extract of C. tomentosum could be useful to the bio-pharma industries in the large-scale manufacture of nanoparticle-based medications to fight against microbes that constitute a threat to the survival of humanity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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Review

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24 pages, 1101 KiB  
Review
Antimicrobial Activity of Spices Popularly Used in Mexico against Urinary Tract Infections
by Ariadna Jazmín Ortega-Lozano, Estefani Yaquelin Hernández-Cruz, Tania Gómez-Sierra and José Pedraza-Chaverri
Antibiotics 2023, 12(2), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12020325 - 03 Feb 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3577
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious diseases worldwide. These infections are common in all people; however, they are more prevalent in women than in men. The main microorganism that causes 80–90% of UTIs is Escherichia coli. However, other bacteria [...] Read more.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common infectious diseases worldwide. These infections are common in all people; however, they are more prevalent in women than in men. The main microorganism that causes 80–90% of UTIs is Escherichia coli. However, other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae cause UTIs, and antibiotics are required to treat them. However, UTI treatment can be complicated by antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. Therefore, medicinal plants, such as spices generally added to foods, can be a therapeutic alternative due to the variety of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenes present in their extracts that exert antimicrobial activity. Essential oils extracted from spices have been used to demonstrate their antimicrobial efficacy against strains of pathogens isolated from UTI patients and their synergistic effect with antibiotics. This article summarizes relevant findings on the antimicrobial activity of cinnamon, clove, cumin, oregano, pepper, and rosemary, spices popularly used in Mexico against the uropathogens responsible for UTIs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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14 pages, 4659 KiB  
Review
Aloe vera: A Sustainable Green Alternative to Exclude Antibiotics in Modern Poultry Production
by Rifat Ullah Khan, Shabana Naz, Davide De Marzo, Michela M. Dimuccio, Giancarlo Bozzo, Vincenzo Tufarelli, Caterina Losacco and Marco Ragni
Antibiotics 2023, 12(1), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics12010044 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3548
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, there has been a rapid increase in the need for poultry meat on a global scale to meet the rising demand from health, ecology, safety and equity. However, there has been a significant rise in recent years in [...] Read more.
Over the past 50 years, there has been a rapid increase in the need for poultry meat on a global scale to meet the rising demand from health, ecology, safety and equity. However, there has been a significant rise in recent years in both public demand and scientific interest for organic poultry farming, particularly when using medicinal herbs due to the rising concern of antibiotic resistance in end users. Ban on the use of antibiotics in the poultry industry has resulted in the demand of herbs as alternatives to antibiotics. Various research efforts have illustrated the nutritional value of Aloe vera in improving growth performance and immune status and acting as an antibacterial and anticoccidial agent in poultry. Aloe vera has been used as a supplement in the form of gel, alcoholic extract, powder, polysaccharide and aqueous extract. Aloe vera contains more than 200 nutrients, bioactive compounds, polysaccharides and saponins. In the current review, we have detailed the effect of Aloe vera as an alternative to antibiotics on growth performance, antimicrobial and antiparasitic activities and blood biochemical alternations in poultry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts)
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