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Squama Manitis Extract Exhibits Broad-Spectrum Antibacterial Activity Through Energy and DNA Disruption Mechanisms
Li Chen1,2, Kunping Song1, Mengwei Cheng1
1Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Wenzhou-Kean University, 88 Daxue Road, Ouhai, Wenzhou 325060, China.
Biology
|September 4, 2025
Summary
Squama Manitis extract (SME) shows broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against bacteria by disrupting cell membranes, paralyzing metabolism, and inhibiting DNA repair. This traditional medicine offers a novel template for developing new antimicrobial drugs.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Systems Biology
Background:
- The escalating antimicrobial resistance crisis necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Pathogens can evade current treatments via biofilm formation or metabolic adaptations.
- Traditional Chinese medicine offers a potential source for new antimicrobial compounds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antimicrobial activity and mechanism of action of Squama Manitis extract (SME).
- To evaluate SME's potential as a template for developing resistance-resilient antimicrobials.
- To explore the convergence of traditional knowledge and modern systems biology in anti-infective drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Broth microdilution assays to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).
- Integrated multi-omics analysis, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and RNA sequencing.
- Cytotoxicity assays on mammalian cells.
Main Results:
- SME demonstrated broad-spectrum bactericidal activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria (MIC = 31.25 mg/mL).
- SME acts via a tripartite mechanism: membrane disruption, metabolic pathway suppression (TCA cycle, fatty acid degradation), and DNA repair inhibition (SOS response, recombination).
- SME exhibited low cytotoxicity to mammalian cells and could penetrate Gram-negative outer membranes.
Conclusions:
- SME possesses potent antimicrobial properties with a multi-targeted mechanism, offering potential against drug-resistant infections.
- SME serves as a polypharmacological template for designing novel, resistance-resilient antimicrobial agents.
- This study highlights the value of integrating traditional medicine with modern scientific approaches for sustainable anti-infective development.
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