Evaluation of Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Contents, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Hungarian Propolis Ethanolic Extract against Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

Propolis is a natural bee product that is widely used in folk medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) on methicillin-resistant and sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and MSSA). Propolis samples were collected from six regions in Hungary. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values and the interaction of EEP-antibiotics were evaluated by the broth microdilution and the chequerboard broth microdilution methods, respectively. The effect of EEP on biofilm formation and eradication was estimated by crystal violet assay. Resazurin/propidium iodide dyes were applied for simultaneous quantification of cellular metabolic activities and dead cells in mature biofilms. The EEP1 sample showed the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents. The EEP1 successfully prevented the growth of planktonic cells of S. aureus (MIC value = 50 µg/mL). Synergistic interactions were shown after the co-exposition to EEP1 and vancomycin at 108 CFU/mL. The EEP1 effectively inhibited the biofilm formation and caused significant degradation of mature biofilms (50–200 µg/mL), as a consequence of the considerable decrement of metabolic activity. The EEP acts effectively as an antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent on S. aureus. Moreover, the simultaneous application of EEP and vancomycin could enhance their effect against MRSA infection.

Natural Strategies as Potential Weapons against Bacterial Biofilms

“…The EEP in combination with vancomycin synergistically showed effective inhibition and degradation against biofilm formation and maturation, respectively. The EEP at a concentration of 200 μg/mL against MSSA and MRSA showed 47–87% biofilm degradation, respectively [ 188 ]. Alandejani et al have determined the antibiofilm activity of four different kinds of honey: Manuka honey (from New Zealand), Buckwheat and Canadian clover honey (from Canada), and Sidr honey (from Yemen).…”

Antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitability of Distichochlamys citrea M.F. Newman rhizome fractionated extracts: in vitro and in silico screenings

“…The up-bound capacity of the EtOAc fraction may be due to the presence of a higher quantity of flavonoids and other major volatile bioactive compounds. In extended studies, the compounds (i.e., flavonoids, coumarins, and essential oil) were reported to possess positive effects on human health, e.g., antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic activities (Bouchelaghem et al 2022 ; Xiao 2022 ; Gulcin et al 2022 ). Oxidative stress resulting in the formation of free radicals was proved as a major factor in disease development and complications of diabetes (Tripathi and Chandra 2009 ).…”

Antibacterial Activity of Romanian Propolis against Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Dogs with Superficial Pyoderma: In Vitro Test

“…The HPLC analysis showed that the flavonoid, phenolic acid, and other compounds of crude Romanian propolis and their ethanolic extract are similar to other ethanolic extracts of propolis, mainly of European origin [15,18,[30][31][32][33].…”