Antimicrobial synergism and antagonism of salicylaldehyde in Filipendula vulgaris essential oil

Fitoterapia. 2007 Dec;78(7-8):565-70. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2007.03.022. Epub 2007 May 24.

Abstract

The leaf essential oil of Filipendula vulgaris, consisting mainly of salicylaldehyde (68.6%), was screened for its antimicrobial activity by the disk diffusion and microdilution broth assays. The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of all of the tested bacteria and fungi. It seems that the antimicrobial nature of F. vulgaris essential oil can be attributed to the synergistic interactions of the compounds constituting the oil rather than to the presence of a single inhibitory agent. A synergy in salicylaldehyde/linalool mixtures was observed with a maximum interaction situated in the range between 60:40 and 80:20 (mol ratio). At this concentration range (at a dose of 1.7 microg/disk) no microbial growth was observed while the respective pure compounds, at the corresponding quantities, are shown to be dramatically less active. The MIC value for the 60:40 mixture was determined to be less that 0.009 mg/ml. In addition, an antagonistic relationship between salicylaldehyde and methyl salicylate was established. The maximum (negative) interaction was shown to correspond approximately to the mixture at the 40:60 (methyl salicylate/salicylaldehyde) mol ratio resulting in the complete loss of activity at the investigated dose.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aldehydes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Drug Synergism
  • Filipendula*
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mitosporic Fungi / drug effects*
  • Phytotherapy*
  • Plant Leaves
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Aldehydes
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Plant Oils
  • salicylaldehyde