Chemical Characterization and in Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Myrcianthes hallii (O. Berg) McVaugh (Myrtaceae), a Traditional Plant Growing in Ecuador

Abstract

Myrcianthes hallii (O. Berg) McVaugh (Myrtaceae) is a plant native to Ecuador, traditionally used for its antiseptic properties. The composition of the hydro-methanolic extract of this plant was determined by submitting it to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) hyphenated to heated-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and UV detection. The presence of antimicrobial components prompted us to test the extract against methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, multidrug-resistant and susceptible Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus pyogenes strains. The chromatographic analysis led to the identification of 38 compounds, including polyphenols and organic acids, and represents the first chemical characterization of this plant. The extract showed modest antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria, with the exception of E. coli which was found to be less sensitive. Whilst methicillin-resistant strains usually display resistance to several drugs, no relevant differences were observed between methicillin-susceptible and resistant strains. Considering its long-standing use in folk medicine, which suggests the relative safety of the plant, and the presence of many known antibacterial polyphenolic compounds responsible for its antibacterial activity, the results show that M. hallii extract could be used as a potential new antiseptic agent. Moreover, new anti-infective biomaterials and nanomaterials could be designed through the incorporation of M. hallii polyphenols. This prospective biomedical application is also discussed.

Antioxidative, Antiproliferative and Antimicrobial Activities of Phenolic Compounds from Three Myrcia Species

“…Phenolic acids were found in all tested Myrcia extracts. The first compound, gallic acid ( m/z 169), has characteristic fragments of m/z 151 [M − H − H 2 O] − and 125 [M − H − CO 2 ] [ 7 , 8 ]. This fragmentation pattern is commonly found in hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives [ 9 ].…”

Rise of the killer plants: investigating the antimicrobial activity of Australian plants to enhance biofilter-mediated pathogen removal

“…Overexpressed or multiple efflux pumps in Gram-negative bacteria have moreover been associated with enhancing the transport of antimicrobial substances out of the cell [118, 119]. More specifically, Enterobacteriaceae are often reported to demonstrate greater inhibition to myrtaceous plant extracts than enterococci [120–123]. This has been putatively ascribed to abundant polyphenol production in myrtaceous plants, which can facilitate cytoplasmatic membrane damage and inhibit the synthesis of cell walls, cell membranes and nucleic acids [120].…”

“…More specifically, Enterobacteriaceae are often reported to demonstrate greater inhibition to myrtaceous plant extracts than enterococci [120–123]. This has been putatively ascribed to abundant polyphenol production in myrtaceous plants, which can facilitate cytoplasmatic membrane damage and inhibit the synthesis of cell walls, cell membranes and nucleic acids [120]. Nevertheless, the specific identities of Gram-positive active compounds isolated from polar Australian myrtaceous plant extracts remain vastly uncharacterised [124].…”

Essential Oils as a Potential Treatment Option for Pediculosis

“…Myrcianthes is a genus of plants native to Central and South America as well as west India. Myrcianthes species have been reported to have antimicrobial, antiviral, and insecticidal properties [100,101]. Among Myrcianthes species, Myrcianthes pseudomato and Myrcianthes cisplatensis have been found to be effective against head lice [67].…”