Extracts from Frangula alnus Mill. and Their Effects on Environmental and Probiotic Bacteria

Abstract

The bark of Frangula alnus Mill (FAM), the so-called alder buckthorn, has been widely investigated for its medicinal properties, especially its laxative effects and the bioactive properties of the plant material extract. Still, there is no wider study devoted to its antibacterial properties. This is important in the context of its impact on probiotic gut bacteria. The aim of the research was to recognize the effect of FAM extract on bacterial cells, and to determine how the bioactive properties and composition of the extract are influenced by the type of solvent used for the extraction. To find the most suitable conditions for the FAM extraction, we used four solvent solutions with different polarities, including water, methanol, ethanol, and isopropanol. We assessed the quality and composition of the extracts with spectral analysis, using spectrophotometric (FTIR, UV-Vis) and chromatographic methods (GC-MS). Finally, we analyzed the extractant impact of the extracts on the selected bacterial cells. The results showed that the chemical diversity of the extracts increased with the increase in solvent polarity, in which the abundance of frangulin, the main bioactive compound in buckthorn bark, was confirmed. Pseudomonas fluorescens ATCC 17400 was particularly sensitive to the action of extracts, whereas other strains of the Pseudomonas genus showed practically no adverse effects. Ethanolic extracts had the strongest effect on most of the selected bacteria strains. We found that the probiotic Lactobacillus strain, which represents intestinal microflora, has no direct effect on probiotic microorganisms. The research shown FAM extracts can be safe for probiotic bacteria present in human gut microflora. Moreover, the study indicated that contact with the extracts may reduce the total permeability of the bacterial membranes. This opens up the possibility of using FAM extracts as a factor regulating transport into cells, which may be used to support the action of other bioactive substances.

Herbal Remedies for Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

“…The formula blends small quantities of diverse herbal components, frequently with opposing bioactivity [11]. The herbs with a proven laxative effect include aloe (aloin, aloe-emodin), frangula (frangulin, cascara, and Chinese rhubarb root (through anthraquinone glycosides) [19][20][21]. The herbs and minerals with an opposing, antidiarrheal effect include elecampane (inulin), gentian (gentiopicroside, xanthones, monoterpene alkaloid, polyphenol, and flavones), and kaolin [11,22,23].…”

Polyphenol Content, Mineral Compounds Composition, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Selected Medicinal Herbs from Slovak Republic

“…The food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries are the main contributors to global consumption growth. The range of specific applications of medicinal plants is broad [7][8][9].…”