Potential Antibacterial of Leaf Sirih Merah Against Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 Bacteria

Trisna Yuliana1, Devi Meliani2, Dikdik Kurnia2

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science & Informatic, Universitas Jenderal Achmad Yani, Cimahi, Indonesia.

Abstract

Insights

Red betel leaf compounds Nootkatone and Longicamphenylone show potential antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis by inhibiting cell wall biosynthesis. Molecular docking simulations suggest these compounds can target key enzymes involved in peptidoglycan formation.

Area of Science:

  • Natural Product Chemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Computational Biology

Background:

  • Dental root canal failure is linked to Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Enterococcus faecalis.
  • Bacterial cell wall integrity, maintained by peptidoglycan biosynthesis enzymes like MurA, PBP, and SrtA, is crucial for survival.
  • Red betel leaf (Piper crocatum) is known to contain bioactive compounds, but its specific antibacterial mechanisms against E. faecalis were uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of Piper crocatum extracts against E. faecalis ATCC 29212.
  • To identify and characterize antibacterial compounds from red betel leaves.
  • To investigate the molecular mechanisms of these compounds against E. faecalis using molecular docking.

Main Methods:

  • Fractionation of Piper crocatum extract using n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1).
  • Determination of antibacterial activity via inhibition zone testing against E. faecalis ATCC 29212.
  • Identification of active compounds using Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).
  • In silico molecular docking simulations against target proteins (MurA, PBP, SrtA).

Main Results:

  • The n-hexane:ethyl acetate (9:1) fraction exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against E. faecalis at 10% concentration.
  • LC-MS analysis identified Longicamphenylone (m/z 207), Nootkatone (m/z 219), and Tridecanal (m/z 221).
  • Molecular docking revealed that Nootkatone and Longicamphenylone had lower binding affinities to MurA, PBP, and SrtA compared to natural ligands and positive controls.

Conclusions:

  • Nootkatone shows potential as an inhibitor of MurA and Penicillin-binding protein (PBP).
  • Longicamphenylone demonstrates potential as a SrtA inhibitor.
  • These red betel leaf compounds may effectively inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis and bacterial cell wall formation in E. faecalis.