Antibiotic Potential and Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil of Piper caldense C. DC. (Piperaceae)

Abstract

Infections by multiresistant microorganisms have led to a continuous investigation of substances acting as modifiers of this resistance. By following this approach, the chemical composition of the essential oil from Piper caldense leaf and its antimicrobial potential were investigated. The antimicrobial activity was determined by broth microdilution method providing values for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), IC50, and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC). The essential oil was tested as a modulator for several antibiotics, and its effect on the morphology of Candida albicans (CA) strains was also investigated. The chemical characterization revealed an oil composed mainly of sesquiterpenes. Among them are caryophyllene oxide (13.9%), spathulenol (9.1%), δ-cadinene (7.6%) and bicyclogermacrene (6.7%) with the highest concentrations. The essential oil showed very low activity against the strains of CA with the lowest values for IC50 and MFC of 1790 μg/mL and 8192 μg/mL, respectively. The essential oil modulated the activity of fluconazole against CA URM 4387 strain, which was demonstrated by the lower IC50 obtained, 2.7 μg/mL, whereas fluconazole itself presented an IC50 of 7.76 μg/mL. No modulating effect was observed in the MFC bioassays. The effect on fungal morphology was observed for both CA INCQS 40006 and URM 4387 strains. The hyphae projection was completely inhibited at 4096 μg/mL and 2048 μg/mL, respectively. Thus, the oil has potential as an adjuvant in antimicrobial formulations.

Essential Oils from Piper caldense C. DC. and Piper xylosteoides (Kunth) Steud.: Seasonal Variation of the Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity

“…Bezerra et al [25] . studied the chemical composition of EO from P. caldense leaves, which were collected in the state of Paraná (Brazil).…”

Natural Compounds: A Dynamic Field of Applications

“…This modulator effect is not observed at the highest concentration. The ability of essential oils to cause complete inhibition of the hyphae prolongation was also demonstrated, being an effect superior to fuconazole [42], which suggests their application as an adjuvant in antimicrobial formulations.…”

“…Piper caldense (Piperaceae family) is popularly used for the treatment of snakebites, stomach problems and as a sedative [41]. The research presented by Bezerra et al [42] shows that essential oils from P. caldense leaf are composed, in major proportions, by sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene oxide, spathulenol, γ-cadinene and bicyclogermacrene. Although the essential oils do not show antifungal activity against Candida albicans, they exhibit a synergistic effect with the antifungal fuconazole, which increase their activity when used combined.…”

Synergistic Role of Plant Extracts and Essential Oils against Multidrug Resistance and Gram-Negative Bacterial Strains Producing Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamases

“…Numerous favorable circumstances of using natural products as antimicrobial agents include fewer undesirable side effects, improved patient tolerance, and comparatively less cost-effective, broad approval due to their conventional advantages, sustainability, and improved biodegradability [ 8 ]. Several plant extracts from different plant parts have been broadly investigated through many experiments to understand their capacity in balancing microbial medication tolerance and these reference studies will give promising direction to forthcoming experimental studies on the inversion of antimicrobial resistance [ 9 ].…”