The application of medicinal plant compounds for phenotypic and genotypic characterization of bacterial pathogens causing antimicrobial resistance.
1
Biotechnology and Food Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa
2
Office of AIDS and TB, South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa
3
of Biochemistry, Genetics, and Microbiology, Centre of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to escalate globally, limiting treatment options for infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens1,2. The World Health Organization classifies Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae as critical- and high-priority organisms requiring urgent development of new antimicrobial strategies2-4. Piper betel, a medicinal plant traditionally used for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory purposes5-7, contains bioactive phytochemical compounds with promising therapeutic potential6,7. However, their specific antimicrobial effects and mechanisms of action against MDR bacteria with resistant genes, and the molecular mechanisms of action, remain insufficiently understood8.
METHODS:
This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of four Piper betel compounds (Chlorogenic acid, Piperidine, Eugenyl acetate, and Pinoresinol) against MDR strains of E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae. Using phenotypic and genotypic methods, the study further seeks to identify potential molecular targets and antimicrobial effects of Piper betel compounds.
RESULTS:
Phenotypic assays, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill kinetics, revealed compound-specific antimicrobial activity. Piperidine demonstrated strong bactericidal activity at low concentrations (14.5 mg/L), particularly against K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Piperidine also exhibited sustained growth suppression in time kill assays. Genotypic analyses, involving DNA/RNA extraction and gene expression profiling, indicated downregulation of genes associated with protein downregulation, oxidative stress response, and cell wall biosynthesis, suggesting multi-target antimicrobial activity.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results demonstrate that Piper betel phytochemicals possess promising antimicrobial activity against WHO priority MDR pathogens. The combined phenotypic and genotypic evidence suggests multi-mechanistic modes of action, supporting their potential as alternative or complementary therapeutic agents. Further studies will validate identified molecular targets and evaluate suitability for future drug development.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to escalate globally, limiting treatment options for infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens1,2. The World Health Organization classifies Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae as critical- and high-priority organisms requiring urgent development of new antimicrobial strategies2-4. Piper betel, a medicinal plant traditionally used for antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory purposes5-7, contains bioactive phytochemical compounds with promising therapeutic potential6,7. However, their specific antimicrobial effects and mechanisms of action against MDR bacteria with resistant genes, and the molecular mechanisms of action, remain insufficiently understood8.
METHODS:
This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of four Piper betel compounds (Chlorogenic acid, Piperidine, Eugenyl acetate, and Pinoresinol) against MDR strains of E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae. Using phenotypic and genotypic methods, the study further seeks to identify potential molecular targets and antimicrobial effects of Piper betel compounds.
RESULTS:
Phenotypic assays, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and time-kill kinetics, revealed compound-specific antimicrobial activity. Piperidine demonstrated strong bactericidal activity at low concentrations (14.5 mg/L), particularly against K. pneumoniae and E. coli. Piperidine also exhibited sustained growth suppression in time kill assays. Genotypic analyses, involving DNA/RNA extraction and gene expression profiling, indicated downregulation of genes associated with protein downregulation, oxidative stress response, and cell wall biosynthesis, suggesting multi-target antimicrobial activity.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results demonstrate that Piper betel phytochemicals possess promising antimicrobial activity against WHO priority MDR pathogens. The combined phenotypic and genotypic evidence suggests multi-mechanistic modes of action, supporting their potential as alternative or complementary therapeutic agents. Further studies will validate identified molecular targets and evaluate suitability for future drug development.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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