Garlic: An Alternative Treatment for Group B Streptococcus.

Prenatal screening in pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has successfully reduced the incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality related to Streptococcus agalactiae. However, the contamination rates of newborns are still considerable. In traditional and folk medicines, it has been observed that garlic has been effective in treating S. agalactiae infection. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the active compounds from garlic that have antimicrobial activity against S. agalactiae. In order to do this, SP80 (Sep-Pak 80%) obtained from crude garlic extract (CGE) was fractionated by reverse-phase ultrafast liquid chromatography with UV (RP-UFLC-UV) using a Shim-pack PREP-ODS column. All fractions obtained were tested using a microbial growth inhibition test against the S. agalactiae strain (ATCC 12386). Five clinical isolates were used to confirm the action of the fractions with antimicrobial activity, and the bacterial growth curve was determined. Identification of the antimicrobial compounds was carried out through liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The active compounds found to exhibit antimicrobial activity were Ƴ-glutamyl-S-allyl-cysteine (fraction 18), Ƴ-glutamyl-phenylalanine (fraction 20), and the two stereoisomers (E and Z) of ajoene (fraction 42). The MICs of these fractions were 5.41 mg/ml, 4.60 mg/ml, and 0.16 mg/ml, respectively, and they inhibited the growth of the clinical isolates tested. Antimicrobial compounds from garlic may be a promising source in the search for new drugs against S. agalactiae. IMPORTANCE Invasive disease due to group B streptococcal (GBS) infection results in a wide spectrum of clinical disease in neonates. Maternal colonization by GBS is the primary risk factor for disease. The strategy recommended by the Centers for Disease Control to reduce neonatal GBS infection is the culture-based screening of all pregnant women at 35 to 37 weeks of gestation and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). However, indiscriminate use of antibiotics favors the selection and spread of resistant bacteria. The global scenario of antibacterial resistance has been of great concern for public health, and natural products can be a source of new substances to help us grapple with this problem.

Garlic: an alternative treatment for group B Streptococcus

Prenatal screening in pregnant women between 35 and 37 weeks of gestation and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has successfully reduced the incidence of neonatal morbidity and mortality related to Streptococcus agalactiae. However, the contamination rates of newborns are still considerable. In traditional and folk medicines, it has been observed that garlic has been effective in treating S. agalactiae infection. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify the active compounds from garlic that have antimicrobial activity against S. agalactiae. In order to do this, SP80 (Sep-Pak 80%) obtained from crude garlic extract (CGE) was fractionated by reverse-phase ultrafast liquid chromatography with UV (RP-UFLC-UV) using a Shim-pack PREP-ODS column. All fractions obtained were tested using a microbial growth inhibition test against the S. agalactiae strain (ATCC 12386). Five clinical isolates were used to confirm the action of the fractions with antimicrobial activity, and the bacterial growth curve was determined. Identification of the antimicrobial compounds was carried out through liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The active compounds found to exhibit antimicrobial activity were Ƴ-glutamyl-S-allyl-cysteine (fraction 18), Ƴ-glutamyl-phenylalanine (fraction 20), and the two stereoisomers (E and Z) of ajoene (fraction 42). The MICs of these fractions were 5.41 mg/ml, 4.60 mg/ml, and 0.16 mg/ml, respectively, and they inhibited the growth of the clinical isolates tested. Antimicrobial compounds from garlic may be a promising source in the search for new drugs against S. agalactiae

Activity of the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi on strains of the Candida genus.

Objectives To evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi against the strains of the genus Candida. Methods By using the disk diffusion method, 50 samples of the genus Candida (Candida albicans; Candida krusei; Candida glabrata; and Candida tropicalis), isolated from patients receiving treatment at Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, and 1 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) sample of each species were tested against: the isolated aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, isolated nystatin, and the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Results There were no significant differences regarding the different strains of Candida tested. In the presence of the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, no inhibition halo was visible. Isolated nystatin formed an inhibition halo measuring respectively 18.50 mm and 19.50 mm for the Candida albicans species and the others referred to as non-Candida albicans (Candida krusei; Candida glabrata; and Candida tropicalis). The association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi resulted in inhibition halos measuring 14.25 mm and 16.50 mm respectively. The comparisons of these results are statistically significant (p < 0,001). Conclusion The aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed no antifungal activity in vitro against the strains tested, whereas the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi caused a decrease in the inhibition halo when compared with isolated nystatin.

Activity of the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi on strains of the Candida genus / Atividade do extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi sobre cepas do gênero Candida

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the antifungal susceptibility profile of the aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi against the strains of the genus Candida. Methods: By using the disk diffusion method, 50 samples of the genus Candida (Candida albicans; Candida krusei; Candida glabrata; and Candida tropicalis), isolated from patients receiving treatment at Hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, and 1 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) sample of each species were tested against: the isolated aqueous extract of the bark of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, isolated nystatin, and the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Results: There were no significant differences regarding the different strains of Candida tested. In the presence of the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, no inhibition halo was visible. Isolated nystatin formed an inhibition halo measuring respectively 18.50 mm and 19.50 mm for the Candida albicans species and the others referred to as non-Candida albicans (Candida krusei; Candida glabrata; and Candida tropicalis). The association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi resulted in inhibition halos measuring 14.25 mm and 16.50 mm respectively. The comparisons of these results are statistically significant (p < 0,001). Conclusion: The aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi showed no antifun-gal activity in vitro against the strains tested, whereas the association of nystatin and the aqueous extract of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi caused a decrease in the inhibition halo when compared with isolated nystatin.

RESUMO Objetivos: Avaliar o perfil de susceptibilidade antifúngica do extrato aquoso das cascas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi frente às cepas do gênero Candida. Métodos: Por meio do método de difusão em disco, 50 amostras do gênero Candida (Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata e Candida tropicalis) provenientes de pacientes do Hospital da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, e 1 amostra American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) de cada espécie foram testadas frente ao extrato aquoso das cascas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi isolado, nistatina isolada, e a associação da nistatina ao extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Resultados: Não houve diferenças significantes em relação às diferentes espécies de cepas de Candida testadas. O extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi não formou halo de inibição. A nistatina isolada formou halo de inibição de 18,50 mm e 19,50 mm respectivamente para as espécies Candida albicans e as demais nomeadas como não Candida albicans (Candida krusei, Candida glabrata e Candida tropicalis). A associação da nistatina ao extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi resultou no halo de inibição de 14,25 mm e 16,50 mm respectivamente, sendo que as comparações destes resultados são estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,001). Conclusão: O extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi não demonstrou propriedade antifúngica in vitro frente às cepas testadas, e a associação da nistatina ao extrato aquoso de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi causou a diminuição do halo de inibição quando comparado à nistatina isolada.