Assessment of the antibiofilm and antiquorum sensing activities of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil and its main component 1,8-cineole against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains

Microb Pathog. 2018 May:118:74-80. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.006. Epub 2018 Mar 6.

Abstract

Antibacterial resistance is an increasingly serious threat to global public health. The search for new anti-infection agents from natural resources, with different mode of actions and competitive effects became a necessity. In this study, twenty height methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were investigated for their biofilm formation ability. Subsequently, the antibiofilm effects of Eucalyptus globulus essential oil and its main component 1,8-cineole, against MRSA, as well as their antiquorum sensing potential, were evaluated. Our results displayed the potent efficacy of both E. globulus essential oil and 1,8-cineole against the development of biofilms formed by the methicillin-resistant strains. Additionally, E. globulus essential oil showed more potent of anti-QS activity, even at a low concentration, when compared to 1,8-cineole. All these property of tested agents may pave the way to prevent the development of biofilm formation by MRSA and subsequently the spreading of nosocomial infection.

Keywords: 1,8-Cineole; Antibacterial; Antiquorum sensing; Biofilm; Eucalyptus globulus; MRSA.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects*
  • Biofilms / growth & development
  • Cyclohexanols / chemistry
  • Cyclohexanols / pharmacology*
  • Eucalyptol
  • Eucalyptus / chemistry*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Monoterpenes / chemistry
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry
  • Oils, Volatile / isolation & purification
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Oils / isolation & purification
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Quorum Sensing / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Monoterpenes
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Plant Extracts
  • Plant Oils
  • Eucalyptol