Phytochemical screening and bactericidal activity of three Algerian medicinal plant extracts against nosocomial multidrug-resistant enterobacteria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55779/nsb18112839Keywords:
Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Laurus nobilis L., multidrug resistance, phytochemicals, Rosmarinus officinalis L.Abstract
The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains represents a major global public health challenge. In this context, the search for bioactive compounds from natural sources has gained increasing attention. The present study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition of hydro-methanolic extracts obtained by maceration from the leaves of Laurus nobilis L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L., as well as the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., and to evaluate their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, two pathogens frequently associated with nosocomial infections. Antibacterial activity was assessed using both agar diffusion and liquid culture methods. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids at varying concentrations among the three plant extracts. The results showed significant antibacterial activity (P < 0.01), with inhibition zone diameters of 18 ± 0.2 mm, 23 ± 0.4 mm, and 16 ± 0.6 mm against E. coli, and 17 ± 0.4 mm, 21 ± 0.6 mm, and 19 ± 0.9 mm against K. pneumoniae, respectively. Furthermore, the MBC/MIC ratio indicated a bactericidal effect against both multidrug-resistant strains. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the studied plant extracts are rich in bioactive compounds with notable antibacterial properties, highlighting their potential as promising alternative agents for combating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Metrics
References
Addinsoft Xlstat (2022). Data analysis and statistics add-in for MS Excel. NY, USA: Addinsoft.
Adnan Karim MD, Aminul Islam MD, Muzahidul Islam MD, Rahman Saidur MD, Sultana S, Biswas S, … Nazmul Hasan MD (2020). Evaluation of antioxidant, anti-hemolytic, cytotoxic effects and anti-bacterial activity of selected mangrove plants (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Heritiera littoralis) in Bangladesh. Clinical Phytoscience 6:8. https://doi.org/ 10.1186/s40816-020-0152-9.
Akinduti PA, Emoh-Robinson V, Obamoh-Triumphant HF, Obafemi YD, Banjo TT (2022). Antibacterial activities of plant leaf extracts against multi-antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus associated with skin and soft tissue infections. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 22:47. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03527-y
Arzanlou M, Chai W, Venter H (2017). Intrinsic, adaptive and acquired antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. Essays in Biochemistry 61(1):49-59. https://doi.org/10.1042/ebc20160063
Aye MM, Aung HT, Sein MM, Armijos C (2019). A review on the phytochemistry, medicinal properties and pharmacological activities of 15 selected Myanmar medicinal plants. Molecules 24(2):293. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24020293
Cambau E, Saunderson P, Matsuoka M, Cole ST, Kai M, Suffys P, ... Nanba Y (2018). Antimicrobial resistance in leprosy: results of the first prospective open survey conducted by a WHO surveillance network for the period 2009–15. Clinical Microbiology and Infection 24(12):1305-1310. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmi.2018.02.022
Carryn S (2013). Résistance aux antibiotiques: role du laboratoire de Bactériologie. Bulettin d’information 5.
Chaumun M, Goëlo V, Ribeiro AM, Rocha F, Estevinho BN (2020). In vitro evaluation of microparticles with Laurus nobilis L. extract prepared by spray-drying for application in food and pharmaceutical products. Food and Bioproduct Processing 122:124-135. https:// doi.10.1016/j.fbp.2020.04.011
Chebaibi A, Marouf Z, Rhazi-Filali F, Fahim M, Ed-Dra A (2016). Evaluation du pouvoir antimicrobien des huiles essentielles de sept plantes médicinales récoltées au Maroc [Evaluation of the antimicrobial power of essential oils from seven medicinal plants harvested in Morocco]. Phytothérapie 14(6):355-362. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-015-0996-1
Daoudi A, Sabiri M, Bammou T, Zair M, Ibijbijen J, Nassiri L (2015). Valorisation des extraits de trois espèces du genre Urtica: Urtica urens L., Urtica membranacea Poiret et Urtica pilulifera L. [Valorization of extracts from three species of the genus Urtica: Urtica urens L., Urtica membranacea Poiret, and Urtica pilulifera L.]. Journal of Applied Biosciences 87:8094-104. https:// doi.org/10.4314/jab.v87i1.9
De Paula-Júnior W, Alves Marinho R, Rodrigues Gomes YA, Azevedo DGH, Tereza M, Almeida K, … Lacerda F (2025). Antimicrobial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) extract on clinical Escherichia coli isolates. Aracê Magazine, São José dos Pinhais 7(2):7248-7257. https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n2-159
Diatta B, Niass O, Gueye M, Houël E, Boetsch G (2022). Diversité et activité antimicrobienne des plantes impliquées dans le traitement des Affections dermatologiques chez les Peul et les Wolof du Ferlo nord (Sénégal). [Diversity, antibacterial and antifungal activities of plants involved in the treatment of dermatological conditions in the Peul and Wolof of the North of Ferlo (Senegal)]. European Scientific Journal 18(8):73. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2022.v18n8p73
Do QD, Angkawijaya AE, Tran-Nguyen PL, Huynh LH, Soetaredjo FE, Ismadji S, Ju YH (2014). Effect of extraction solvent on total phenol content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity of Limnophila aromatica. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis 22(3):296-302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfda.2013.11.001
EUCAST 2025 (Version 15.0). European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing. EUCAST Clinical Breakpoint Tables v. 15.0. Retrieved 2025 December 6 from https://www.labors.at/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/v_15.0_Breakpoint_Tables.pdf
Fair RJ, Yitzhak T (2014). Antibiotics and bacterial resistance in the 21st century. Perspectives in Medicinal Chemistry 6:25-64. https://doi.org/ 10.4137/PMC.S14459
Fidan H, Stefanova G, Kostova I, Stankov S, Damyanova S, Stoyanova A, Zheljazkov VD (2019). Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Laurus nobilis L. essential oils from Bulgaria. Molecules 24(4):804. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24040804
Flores-Vargas G, Bergsveinson J, Lawrence JR, Korber DR (2021). Environmental biofilms as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance. Frontiers in Microbiology 12:766242. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.766242
Gachkar L, Yadegari D, Rezaei MB, Taghizadeh M, Astaneh SDA, Rasooli I (2007). Chemical and biological characteristics of Cuminum cyminum and Rosmarinus officinalis essential oils. Food Chemistry 102(3):898-904. https: doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.06.035
Ganfon H, Houvohessou JP, Assanhou AG, Bankole HS, Gbenou J (2019). Activité antibactérienne de l’extrait éthanolique et des fractions de Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC) Guill. Et Perr. (Combretaceae) [Antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract and fractions of Anogeissus leiocarpa (DC) Guill. et Perr. (Combretaceae)]. International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences 13(2):643-651. https://dx. doi.org/10.4314/ijbcs.v13i2.6
Haddouchi F, Chaouche TM, Halla N (2016). Screening phytochimique, activités antioxydantes et pouvoir hémolytique de quatre plantes sahariennes d’Algérie [Phytochemical screening, antioxidant activities and hemolytic power of four Saharan plants from Algeria]. Phytothérapie https://doi.org/10.1007/s10298-016-1086-8
Hima RM, Djibo AK, Saley AEH, Gambo S, Moussa I, Ikhiri K (2023). Activité Antibactérienne de l’Écorce de Pilostigma reticulatum (caesalpiniaceae) Sur des Enterrobacteriaceae et Staphylococcaceae [Antibacterial Activity of the bark of Pilostigma reticulatum (caesalpiniaceae) on Enterrobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceae]. European Scientific Journal 17:81. https://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/view/16742
Khalil NHA, Al-Lebathi HH (2025). Evaluating the synergistic activity of Rosmarinus officinalis extracts with antibiotics against MDR bacteria. Universal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 10(4):44-49. http://doi.org/10.22270/ujpr.v10i4.1393
Kouadio NJ, Kone NW, Guessennd NK, Konan KF, Moussa B, Yao K, … Mireille D (2017). Evaluation de l’activité antibactérienne des feuilles de Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) sur la croissance in-vitro de souches d’Entérobactéries productrices de beta-lactamases à spectre élargi (EBLSE) et tri phytochimique [Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of leaves Spondias mombin L. (Anacardiaceae) on the in vitro growth of producing Enterobacteriaceae of beta-lactamases at extended spectrum (ESBL) strains and phytochemical screenin]. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies 20(2):431-440.
Kouliga KB, Serge YR, Ollo DA, Sibidou YO, Magloire NH, Anicet OG, Bosco OJ (2022). In vivo antimalarial activity, safety and phytochemical screening of Canthium multiflorum (Schumach. Thonn.) Hiern (Rubiaceae). Journal of Medicinal Plants Research 16(6):196-204.
Laxminarayan R, Duse A, Wattal C, Zaidi AKM, Wertheim HFL, Sumpradit N, …Cars O (2013). Antibiotic resistance—the need for global solutions. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 13(12):1057-1098. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(13)70318-9
Liang H, Wang F, Mu R, Huang J, Zhao R, Li X, … Li B (2021). Metagenomics analysis revealing the occurrence of antibiotic resistome in salt lakes. The Science of the Total Environment 790:148262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148262
Lv JM, Gouda M, Bekhit AED, He YK, Ye XQ, Chen JC (2022). Identification of novel bioactive proanthocyanidins with potent antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities from kiwi fruit leaves. Food Bioscience 46:101554. https.doi. 10.1016/j.fbio.2022.101554
Macedo LMD, Santos EMD, Ataide JA, Silva GTS, Guarnieri JPO, Lancellotti M, … Mazzola PG (2022). Development and evaluation of an antimicrobial formulation containing Rosmarinus officinalis. Molecules 27(16):5049. https:// doi.org/10.3390/molecules27165049
Madec J, Decousser J, Fortine N, Haenni M, Jouy E, Kempf I (2018). Veterinary recommendations. Antibiogram Committee of the French Microbiology Society, 2018. Retrieved 2025 December 1 from https://www.sfm-microbiologie.org/
Martial C, Gosseries O, Cassol H, Kondziella D (2022). Studying death and near‐death experiences requires neuroscientific expertise. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 1517(1):11-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14888
Murray CJ, Ikuta KS, Sharara F, Swetschinski L, Robles AG, Gray A, … Musicha P (2022). Global burden of bacterial antimicrobial resistance in 2019: a systematic analysis. The Lancet 399(10325):629-655. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0
N'Guessan K, Kadja B, Zirihi G, Traore D, Akéassi L (2009). Screening phytochimique de quelques plantes médicinales ivoiriennes utilisées en pays Krobou (Agboville, Cote-d’Ivoire [Phytochemical screening of some Ivorian medicinal plants used in Krobou country (Agboville, Côte d'Ivoire]. Sciences and Nature 6(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.4314/scinat.v6i1.48575
Oliveira Ribeiro S, Fontaine V, Mathieu V, Zhiri A, Baudoux D, Stévigny C, Souard F (2020). Antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of ten commercially available essential oils. Antibiotics 9(10):717. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9100717
Quézel P, Santa S (1962). New Flora of Algeria and the Southern Desert Regions. CNRS, Paris, 1170 p.
Raskovic A, Milanovic I, Pavlovic N, Cebovic T, Vukmirovic S, Mikov M (2014). Antioxidant activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) essential oil and its hepatoprotective potential. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 14:225. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-14-225
Rather IA, Kim BC, Bajpai VK. Park YH (2017). Self-medication and antibiotic resistance: crisis, current challenges, and prevention. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences 24:808-812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2017.01.004
Rondon M, Moncayo S, Cornejo X, Santos J, Villalta D, Siguencia R, Duche J (2017). Preliminary phytochemical screening, total phenolic content and antibacterial activity of thirteen native species from Guayas province Ecuador. Journal of King Saud University 30(4):500-505. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2017.03.009
Saleh BH, Yahya HN, Ibrahim RN (2023). Study antibacterial activity of Laurus nobilis leaves water extract on some isolates of pathogenic bacteria. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences 54(1):18-24. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v54i1.1672
Sancer O, Şahin U, Çetin ES, Tepebaşi MY, CezaroğluY, Bilir G, … Koca A (2024). Effect of Laurus nobilis on bacteria and human transforming growth factor-β1. Revista da Associação Médica Brasileira 70(3):e20230683. https://doi.org/10.1590/1806-9282.20230683
Sharma D, Namdeo P, Singh P (2021). Phytochemistry and pharmacological studies of Glycyrrhiza glabra: A medicinal plant review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research 67(1):187-194. https://doi:10.47583/ijpsrr.2021.v67i01.030
Sivaraj D, Shanmugam S, Rajan M, Sasidharan PS, Sathyanarayanan S, Muniyandi K, … Araújo AAS (2018). Evaluation of Aristolochia indica L. and Piper nigrum L. methanol extract against centipede Scolopendra moristans L. using Wistar albino rats and screening of bioactive compounds by high pressure liquid chromatography: a polyherbal formulation. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy 97:1603-1612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.114
Srivastava N, Singh A, Kumari P, Nishad JH, Gautam VS, Yadav M, … Kharwar RN (2021). Advances in extraction technologies: isolation and purification of bioactive compounds from biological materials. Natural Bioactive Compounds 409-433. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-820655-3.00021-5
Vasudevan A, Mukhopadhyay A, Li J, Yuen EGY, Tambyah PA (2014). A prediction tool for nosocomial multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacilli infections in critically ill patients: a prospective observational study. BMC Infectious Diseases 25(14):615. https://doi.org/ doi: 10.1186/s12879-014-0615-z
Ventola CL (2015). The antibiotic resistance crisis: Part 1: Causes and threats. Pharmacology and Therapeutics 40(4):277-283.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4378521
Vestergaard M, Frees D, Ingmer H (2019). Antibiotic resistance and the MRSA problem. Microbiology Spectrum 7(2). https://doi.org/10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0057-2018
WHO (2024). World Health Organization. Global report on infection prevention and control. Retrieved 2025 December 5 from https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240103986
Zhang WJ, Bjorn LO (2009). The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the accumulation of medicinal compounds in plants. Fitoterapia 80(4):207-218. https://doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2009.02.006
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Amine BENGAG, Sarra METLEF, Azdinia ZIDANE, Meryem SADOUD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Papers published in Notulae Scientia Biologicae are Open-Access, distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution License.
© Articles by the authors; licensee SMTCT, Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright/to retain publishing rights without restriction.
License:
Open Access Journal - the journal offers free, immediate, and unrestricted access to peer-reviewed research and scholarly work, due SMTCT supports to increase the visibility, accessibility and reputation of the researchers, regardless of geography. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author.
.png)
