New Insights into Cutaneous Asepsis: Synergism between Pfaffia and Rosemary Extracts

Abstract

(1) Background: In hospitals, medical and dental clinics, antiseptics or disinfectants play an essential role in the control of nosocomial infections. This study aimed to evaluate R. officinalis and P. paniculata glycolic extracts regarding: (I) their antimicrobial action on planktonic and biofilm (monotypic and cutaneous biofilm model—S. aureus, S. epidermidis and C. acnes); and (II) their cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes (HaCaT). (2) Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were performed (CLSI protocol M7-A6 and M11-A8). MTT analysis was used to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of the extracts on biofilms and their cytotoxicity on human keratinocytes. (3) Results: The combined glycolic extracts MIX A (75% P. paniculata + 25% R. officinalis); MIX B (50% P. paniculata + 50% R. officinalis); and MIX C (25% P. paniculata + 75% R. officinalis) promoted MBC values by 50 mg/mL on S. aureus, absent on S. epidermidis, and ranged 6.25–50 mg/mL for C. acnes. The cutaneous biofilm model was reduced more than 90%. In addition, it showed biocompatibility with human keratinocytes, resulting in percentages of viability greater than 50%. (4) Conclusions: The combination of extracts promoted antimicrobial action on planktonic cultures, and monotypic and heterotypic biofilms of skin pathogens. Additionally, these extracts are biocompatible against human keratinocytes.

Pfaffia paniculata Extract, a Potential Antimicrobial Agent against Candida spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus mutans Biofilms

“…In particular, the broad spectrum of P. paniculata could be of great interest in the treatment of candidiasis, for which identification of the fungus is very difficult. In previous studies, P. paniculata demonstrated its antimicrobial action on Klebsiella pneumoniae [ 43 ], S. aureus, S. epidermidis , and Cutibacterium acnes biofilms [ 44 ]. In the present study, P. paniculata demonstrated an antibacterial action against P. aeruginosa and S. mutans and an antifungal action against monotypic biofilms of C. albicans , C. dubliniensis , C. glabrata , C. guilhermondii , C. krusei, and C. tropicalis.…”

“…Finally, the correlation between cytotoxicity data and antimicrobial activity demonstrates promising applicability of the extract. P. paniculata is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that acts against bacteria ( S. mutans , P. aeruginosa , Klebsiella pneumoniae [ 43 ], S. aureus [ 44 ], S. epidermidis [ 44 ], and Cutibacterium acnes [ 44 ]) as well as several fungi ( C. albicans , C. glabrata , C. dubliniensis , C. krusei , C. tropicalis , and C. guilliermondii ). It can act against both planktonic and biofilm microorganisms, which is very interesting since microorganisms organized in a biofilm are more resistant [ 54 ].…”