The potentiation of beta-lactam and anti-bacterial activities of lipophilic constituents from Mesua ferrae leaves against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Sangeeta V. Alagasamy, Surash Ramanathan, Nelson Jeng Yeou Chear, Wen Nee Tan, Dinesh Sangarran Ramachandram, Ai Fein T. Ching-Ga, Yasodha Ponnusamy, Choon Sheen Lai, Vikneswaran Murugaiyah

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Abstract

Mesua ferrae, from the family of Calophyllaceae, is traditionally used for the treatment of piles, fever and renal disorders. The present study was aimed to examine the antibacterial compounds from the leaves of M. ferrae and their β-lactam antibiotic potentiate activities against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Stigmasterol (1) and β-caryophyllene oxide (2) were isolated from the n-hexane fraction of the leaves of M. ferrae using a bioassay-guided fractionation approach. The isolated compounds displayed anti-Staphylococcus and anti-MRSA activities. It is worth to note that both compounds demonstrated synergism with β-lactam antibiotics against S. aureus and MRSA. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis indicated the n-hexane fraction was dominated by triterpenes and sesquiterpenes, suggesting the total antibacterial activity exhibited by the fraction. Based on the findings, it could conclude that M. ferrae is a promising natural source for the discovery of new anti-MRSA lead compounds.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)339-345
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • antibacterial
  • Mesua ferrae
  • MRSA
  • n-hexane fraction
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • stigmasterol
  • synergism
  • β-caryophyllene oxide

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