Antimicrobial activity of the constituents of Smallanthus sonchifolius leaves against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

J.G. Choi, O.H. Kang, Y.S. Lee, Y.C. Oh, H.S. Chae, B. Obiang-Obounou, S.C. Park, D.W. Shin*, B.Y. Hwang**, D.Y. Kwon

Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang University, Jeonbuk (Republic of Korea) *Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, Sunchon National University, Jeonnam (Republic of Korea) **College of Pharmacy and Medical Research Center (CICT), Chungbuk National University, Cheongiu (Korea)

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• Pharmacology

Abstract. – Background and Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been a serious problem as its infection is associated with higher mortality and increase cost worldwide. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius was investigated.
Material and Methods: Enhydrin, polymatin B, allo-schkuhriolide from the leaves of Smallanthus sonchifolius were tested for antimicrobial activity using micro dilution broth method against 2 strains of ATCC 33591, ATCC 25923 and 15 strains of clinical isolates MRSA.
Results: The antibacterial activity of Smallanthus sonchifolius can safely be attributed to enhydrin as polymatin B, and allo-schkuhriolide are not showing any activity against Staphylococcus aureus strains. The enhydrin showed good antibacterial activity against all tested strains (MIC = 125-500 µg/ml).
Discussion: These results suggest that only enhydrin can be considered as an antibacterial drug against MRSA.

Corresponding Author: Dong-Yeul Kwon, PhD; e-mail: sssimi@wku.ac.kr