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Antibacterial Effect and Mode of Action of Flavonoids From Licorice Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus

Shuai-Cheng Wu1,2,3, Zhi-Qiang Yang1, Fei Liu1

  • 1Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.

Frontiers in Microbiology
|November 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Glabrol, a licorice flavonoid, effectively combats antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by disrupting bacterial membranes. This compound shows promise as a new antibacterial agent and disinfectant.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Products Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Staphylococcus aureus infections are a growing concern due to increasing antibiotic resistance.
  • Novel therapeutic strategies are essential to combat infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antibacterial activity and mechanism of action of licorice flavonoids against MRSA.
  • To evaluate the potential of glabrol as a lead compound for new antibacterial agents.

Main Methods:

  • Screening of licorice flavonoids for antibacterial activity against MRSA.
  • Cytotoxicity and hemolytic activity assays for safety evaluation.
  • Investigation of glabrol's mode of action, including membrane permeability and proton motive force.
  • Molecular docking to predict binding interactions.
  • In vitro and in vivo efficacy studies.

Main Results:

  • Glabrol, licochalcone A, C, and E demonstrated high efficacy against MRSA with low cytotoxicity.
  • Glabrol exhibited rapid bactericidal activity and low resistance development in vitro.
  • Glabrol increased bacterial membrane permeability and dissipated proton motive force.
  • Molecular docking revealed hydrogen bonding between glabrol and phosphatidylglycerol/cardiolipin.
  • Glabrol showed efficacy against MRSA in both in vitro and in vivo models.

Conclusions:

  • Glabrol is a potent antibacterial agent against MRSA.
  • Glabrol acts by disrupting bacterial membrane integrity.
  • Glabrol is a promising candidate for developing novel membrane-active antibacterial agents and disinfectants.
Keywords:
MRSAflavonoidsglabrollicoricemode of action

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