Antibacterial activity of Thymoquinone, an active principle of Nigella sativa and its potency to prevent bacterial biofilm formation

Abstract

BackgroundThymoquinone is an active principle of Nigella sativa seed known as "Habbah Al-Sauda" in Arabic countries and "Sinouj" in Tunisia. Bacterial biofilms tend to exhibit significant tolerance to antimicrobials drugs during infections.MethodsThe antibacterial activity of Thymoquinone (TQ) and its biofilm inhibition potencies were investigated on 11 human pathogenic bacteria. The growth and development of the biofilm were assessed using the crystal violet (CV) and the 2, 3-bis [2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay.ResultsTQ exhibited a significant bactericidal activity against the majority of the tested bacteria (MICs values ranged from 8 to 32 μg/ml) especially Gram positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 106510). Crystal violet assay demonstrated that the minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (BIC50) was reached with 22 and 60 μg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 106510 respectively. In addition our data revealed that cells oxidative activity was influenced by TQ supplementation. In the same way, TQ prevented cell adhesion to glass slides surface.ConclusionThe ability of TQ to prevent biofilm formation warrants further investigation to explore its use as bioactive substances with antibiofilm potential.

A review on therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa: A miracle herb

“…TQ exhibited a significant bactericidal activity against various human pathogenic bacteria especially Gram positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 106510). TQ prevented cell adhesion to glassslides surface [29] .…”

Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of <i>Nigella sativa</i> Essential Oil Formulated in Microemulsion System

“…It can kill antibiotic resistant S. aureus at 6.0 μg/ml 33 . TQ also has anti-biofilm properties against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria 34 .…”

The Effect of Alkaloids, Saponinsand Thymoquinone of Nigella Sativa Seeds on Biofilm Production, Motility, Outer Membrane Proteins and Lipopolysaccharide of Some Bacteria.

“…Motility plays a key role in the colonisation of surfaces by bacteria (50,51). In this study, thymoquinone inhibited the motility and swarming of Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa and Sal.…”