Netzahualcoyonol from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. (Celastraceae) roots as a bioactive compound against gram-positive pathogens

Abstract

The expression of virulence factors, such as biofilm formation, in association with the acquisition of resistance to multiple drugs, has evidenced the need for new and effective antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus. The evaluation of the pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds is a promising alternative to the development of new antimicrobials. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and the synergistic and cytotoxic effects of netzahualcoyonol isolated from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. roots. Netzahualcoyonol presented bacteriostatic (1.56–25.0 µg/mL) and bactericidal (25.0–400.0 µg/mL) effects against Gram-positive bacteria, disrupted the biofilm of S. aureus, and presented a synergistic effect after its combination with β-lactams and aminoglycosides. The low cytotoxicity of netzahualcoyonol (Selectivity Index (SI) for S. aureus (2.56), S. saprophyticus (20.56), and Bacillus subtilis (1.28)) suggests a good security profile. Taken together, these results show that netzahualcoyonol is promising for the development of a new effective antibacterial agent.

Graphical Abstract

Graphical abstract

Keywords:

• Netzahualcoyonol
• Celastraceae
• Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC.
• antibacterial
• gram-positive
• antibiofilm
• synergism

Acknowledgments

We thank the Federal University Federal de São João del-Rei for master’s degree grants and the facilities to carry out this work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG); and Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES). W.G.L. is grateful to Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal do Nível Superior (CAPES) for a Ph.D. fellowship.