Antimicrobial betalains

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

• Betalains are plant pigments with red-violet (betacyanins) and yellow-orange (betaxanthins) hues.
• Currently utilized in food and cosmetic industries as natural colorants.
• Emerging evidence suggests broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antiviral activities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the antimicrobial and antiviral potential of betalains.
• To explore betalains as therapeutic agents for infectious diseases.
• To highlight the significance of betalains in combating antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing studies on betalain bioactivity.
• Analysis of in vitro and in silico research on antimicrobial and antiviral effects.
• Examination of limited in vivo studies on antimalarial and anti-infective properties.

Main Results:

• Betalains demonstrate antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilms.
• Antiviral effects observed against dengue virus, with in silico studies including SARS-CoV-2.
• Antifungal, antimalarial, and anti-infective activities are documented, though in vivo data is limited.

Conclusions:

• Betalains possess diverse antimicrobial and antiviral properties.
• The cellular mechanisms underlying betalain bioactivity require further investigation.
• Betalains hold promise as a novel class of therapeutic agents for infectious diseases.