The possibility of using Sansevieria aethiopica (Thunb) leaf extracts in combinations with gentamicin for the treatment of oral enterococcal infections

Abstract

Sansevieria aethiopica (Thunb) has been reported to be used for the treatment of oral infections in Eastern Cape of South Africa. Based on ethnobotanical survey, the plant was selected for the possible synergistic effects of its acetone, ethanol and methanolic extracts with gentamicin on the planktonic and sessile cells of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Enterococcus faecalis KZN. In vitro interactions between the plant extracts and gentamicin were studied using checkerboard macrodilution method and anti-biofilm activity of the iso-effective combinations was determined by semi-quantitative adherence assay. Acetone extract of S. aethiopica has the highest inhibitory activity. The minimum concentration of gentamicin that inhibited the two isolates was the same (0.016 mg/ml). Different isoeffective points were observed with fractional inhibitory concentration indexes ranged between 0.375 and 1.9313. Out of the iso-effective points observed only four were synergistic while one was addictive. The maximum biofilm reduction was observed when the two antibacterial agents were combined. We therefore suggest that the extracts of the plant at the test concentrations can be used in combination with gentamicin for oral hygiene.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Ethanolic Extract Derived from Leaves of Sansevieria Aethiopica Thunb. (Asparagaceae)

“…The extracts were able to inhibit the growth, affect the intracellular pH (by extension the membrane integrity) and interfere with the sterol metabolism in C. albicans ATCC 10231 (David and Jide Afolayan, 2017). David and Afolayan (2013a) have also investigated the in vitro interactions between extracts of S. aethiopica and gentamicin and the activities of the resultant iso-effective combinations against biofilm of Enterobacter faecalis ATCC 29212 and E. faecalis KZN. In vitro interactions between the plant extracts and gentamicin were studied using the checkerboard microdilution method and anti-biofilm activity of the iso-effective combinations was determined by semiquantitative adherence assay.…”

“…This is necessary before dental pathogen embedded in the biofilm could be eradicated or reduced. The efficacy of the extracts of S. aethiopica (singly and in combination with gentamicin) justifies its usage in oral hygiene and also suggests it as an important candidate for the formulation of paste or tincture for oral hygiene and treatment of enterococcal infections (David and Afolayan, 2013a).…”