Antibacterial effect of Herniaria hirsuta, Prunus avium, Rubia tinctorum and Sempervivum tectorum plant extracts on multiple antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli

Abstract

The emergence of Escherichia coli isolates with multiple antibiotic resistant phenotypes is considered as a severe health concern. In the present work the antibacterial effect of following plants (Herniaria hirsuta, Prunus avium, Rubia tinctorum and Sempervivum tectorum) was examined. The bacterial model used for estimation of bacterial susceptibility is hospital multiple antibiotic resistant E. coli strain. E. coli ATCC 25922 was used for standard comparison of bacterial susceptibility. Leaves of H. hirsuta, R. tinctorum and S. tectorum as well as petioles of P. avium were collected. Ethanol and aqueous extract of each plant was prepared. Antibacterial activity was examined using the agar well diffusion method. Concentration of total phenols, flavonoids, tannins, antocyanins and saponins was determined in plant extracts. E. coli strain is resistant to four unrelated families of antibiotics. Antibacterial effect is proven for all examined plants. Ethanol extracts of H. hirsuta and P. avium have a more potent antibacterial effect than their aqueous extracts. Aqueous extracts of R. tinctorum and S. tectorum have higher antibacterial potential than theirs ethanol extracts. Examined plant extracts represent good candidates for more extensive research in view of their application in the treatment of multiple antibiotic resistant E.coli strains.