In Vitro Antibacterial, Anti-Adhesive and Anti-Biofilm Activities of <i>Krameria lappacea</i> (Dombey) Burdet & B.B. Simpson Root Extract against Methicillin-Resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> Strains
Carlo Genovese,
Floriana D’Angeli,
Francesco Bellia,
Alfio Distefano,
Mariarita Spampinato,
Francesco Attanasio,
Daria Nicolosi,
Valentina Di Salvatore,
Gianna Tempera,
Debora Lo Furno,
Giuliana Mannino,
Fabio Milardo,
Giovanni Li Volti
Affiliations
Carlo Genovese
Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Floriana D’Angeli
Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Francesco Bellia
Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
Alfio Distefano
Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Mariarita Spampinato
Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Francesco Attanasio
Institute of Crystallography, National Research Council (CNR), Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, 95126 Catania, Italy
Daria Nicolosi
Section of Microbiology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Valentina Di Salvatore
Section of General and Clinical Pathology and Oncology, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Gianna Tempera
Nacture S.r.l, Spin-Off University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Debora Lo Furno
Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Giuliana Mannino
Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Fabio Milardo
Herbalist Shop of Dr. Milardo Fabio, via Fonte 2, 96010 Melilli, Italy
Giovanni Li Volti
Section of Biochemistry, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a serious threat to public health, due to its large variety of pathogenetic mechanisms. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the anti-MRSA activities of Krameria lappacea, a medicinal plant native to South America. Through Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled with High-Resolution Mass spectrometry, we analyzed the chemical composition of Krameria lappacea root extract (KLRE). The antibacterial activity of KLRE was determined by the broth microdilution method, also including the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration and minimum biofilm eradication concentration. Besides, we evaluated the effect on adhesion and invasion of human lung carcinoma A549 cell line by MRSA strains. The obtained results revealed an interesting antimicrobial action of this extract, which efficiently inhibit the growth, biofilm formation, adhesion and invasion of MRSA strains. Furthermore, the chemical analysis revealed the presence in the extract of several flavonoid compounds and type-A and type-B proanthocyanidins, which are known for their anti-adhesive effects. Taken together, our findings showed an interesting antimicrobial activity of KLRE, giving an important contribution to the current knowledge on the biological activities of this plant.
