engleski

Antimicrobial potential of strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo L.) leaf extracts on selected uropathogens

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common human bacterial infections. While appropriate antibiotic treatment will cure many cases, the disease will recur in about 25% of infected patients, and the use of plant extracts with antibacterial property can be of large significance in the control of this infections. The plant that has the potential for use in the prevention, and treatment of UTI is Arbutus unedo L. Arbutus unedo L. is a species of strawberry tree, widely represented in the Mediterranean climates of southern Europe. The leaves have been reported to possess several biological properties such as anti-aggregant, urinary antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diarrhoeal, and anti-diabetic. This herb contains a substance called arbutin, which is converted to hydroquinone, bioactive molecule with an antiseptic effect on urinary tract. The aim of this research was to determine the antimicrobial potential of different extracts of strawberry tree leaves and its active compounds (arbutin and hydroquinone) against the most common isolated uropathogens such as Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Antimicrobial activity of tested extracts (methanolic, ethanolic and water extracts) and active compounds (arbutin and hydroquinone) was determined using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods. The ethanol extracts of strawberry tree leaves showed the strongest antibacterial activity on tested E. faecalis strains with zone of inhibition ranged from 12 to 15 mm and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) ranged from 0, 4 to 1, 6 mg/mL. Hydroquinone showed the strongest antimicrobial effect on all tested microorganisms compared with the tested leaves extracts and arbutin. In conclusion, strawberry tree leaves extract showed significant antibacterial effect on clinical uropathogenic Enterococcus strains and have a great potential for use in the prevention and help in treatment of urinary tract infections.

Urinary tract infections; antibacterial effect; strawberry tree leaves

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