Title : Antimicrobial potential of Colombian plants for the control of microorganisms associated with skin infections
Abstract:
Skin infections caused by fungi, viruses and bacteria represent the fourth leading cause of morbidity worldwide and affect one-third of the global population. Among these infections, candidiasis caused by Candida albicans, cutaneous folliculitis and/or atopic dermatitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus and/or Staphylococcus epidermidis and tinea versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur stand out. In the search for antimicrobial substances with cutaneous application, plants represent a relevant alternative due to the vast diversity of specialized metabolites they produce and their various biological properties. In light of the fact that Colombia ranks among the world's most biodiverse countries, this study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of some Colombian plant species for the control of microorganisms involved in skin infections. The methodology included the collection of 30 non-timber forest plant species in the department of Chocó (Colombia), which were separated into their corresponding organs and ethanolic extracts were obtained by maceration, for a total of approximately 42 extracts. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the microdilution method at an initial concentration of 1000 µg/mL against the strains S. aureus (ATCC 28188), S. epidermidis (ATCC 12228), M. furfur (ATCC 14521), T. rubrum (ATCC 28188) and C. albicans (ATCC 10231). Extracts showing a percentage of inhibition greater than 70% were considered active, and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and MIC50 were determined by microdilution over a concentration range of 1 to 2000 µg/mL. Regarding the results obtained, it is noteworthy that 12 extracts were active against C. albicans, 5 were active against S. aureus, 1 extract against S. epidermidis, 33 extracts against T. rubrum, while 29 extracts showed activity against M. furfur. In this sense, against C. albicans, the most promising extracts were Vismea panamensis (leaves), Piper aduncum (leaves) and Bixa orellana (leaves), with an MIC50 range between 951 and 1047 µg/mL. For S. aureus, the most active extracts corresponded to Solanum psychotrioides (leaves), Adenostemma platyphyllum (aerial parts), and Piper tricuspe (leaves) with a range of 32 to 140 µg/mL. Against S. epidermidis, Solanum psychotrioides (leaves) stood out with an MIC50 ranging from 20 to 60 µg/mL. Against T. rubrum, the most active extracts corresponded to Solanum psychotrioides (leaves) and Cyathula prostrata (leaves) with an MIC50 ranging from 20 to 100 µg/mL. Finally, against M. furfur, the most promising extracts were Piper peltatum (inflorescences) and Piper tuberculatum (inflorescences and stems), with MIC50 values ranging from 10 to 100 µg/mL. These findings evidence the potential of certain Colombian plants for the control of microorganisms associated with skin infections. This study was funded by the General Royalties System of Colombia under project BPIN 2023000100047. Research activities on Colombian biodiversity were carried out under the Genetic Resource Access Contract No. 121 of January 22, 2016, and its Amendment No. 21, signed between the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the National University of Colombia, in compliance with the amnesty established in Law 1955 of 2019.
