Benzyl Isothiocyanate, a Major Component from the Roots of Salvadora Persica Is Highly Active against Gram-Negative Bacteria

Abstract

Plants produce a number of antimicrobial substances and the roots of the shrub Salvadora persica have been demonstrated to possess antimicrobial activity. Sticks from the roots of S. persica, Miswak sticks, have been used for centuries as a traditional method of cleaning teeth. Diverging reports on the chemical nature and antimicrobial repertoire of the chewing sticks from S. persica led us to explore its antibacterial properties against a panel of pathogenic or commensal bacteria and to identify the antibacterial component/s by methodical chemical characterization. S. persica root essential oil was prepared by steam distillation and solid-phase microextraction was used to sample volatiles released from fresh root. The active compound was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and antibacterial assays. The antibacterial compound was isolated using medium-pressure liquid chromatography. Transmission electron microscopy was used to visualize the effect on bacterial cells. The main antibacterial component of both S. persica root extracts and volatiles was benzyl isothiocyanate. Root extracts as well as commercial synthetic benzyl isothiocyanate exhibited rapid and strong bactericidal effect against oral pathogens involved in periodontal disease as well as against other Gram-negative bacteria, while Gram-positive bacteria mainly displayed growth inhibition or remained unaffected. The short exposure needed to obtain bactericidal effect implies that the chewing sticks and the essential oil may have a specific role in treatment of periodontal disease in reducing Gram-negative periodontal pathogens. Our results indicate the need for further investigation into the mechanism of the specific killing of Gram-negative bacteria by S. persica root stick extracts and its active component benzyl isothiocyanate.

Antibacterial activity and mode of action of selected glucosinolate hydrolysis products against bacterial pathogens

“…The presence of such phytochemicals in natural foods might even contribute to the medicinal properties attributed to the consumption of cruciferous vegetables. Among GHP, ITCs are considered the most potent inhibitors of microbial activity and their properties are being actively explored (Al-Gendy et al 2010;Cartea and Velasco 2008;Munday et al 2008;Saavedra et al 2010;Sofrata et al 2011;Troncoso et al 2005;Zhang 2012). ITCs can bind to sulfhydryl groups on active sites of important enzymes involved in the microbial growth and survival.…”

Impact of Dental Plaque Biofilms in Periodontal Disease: Management and Future Therapy

“…Linalool and α-terpineol exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against periodontopathic and cariogenic bacteria [147]. Salvadora persica root stick extracts and its active component benzyl isothiocyanate are very efficient against oral pathogens involved in periodontal disease as well as against other gram-negative bacteria [148]. The adjunctive use of EO has been shown to promote significant clinical attachment level gain and probing pocket depth reduction in deep residual pockets [149].…”

Radiations and biodegradation techniques for detoxifying Carica papaya seed oil for effective dietary and industrial use

“…There is no part of the papaya plant that may be considered unimportant due to their nutritional, therapeutic and medicinal benefits (Sofrata et al 2011). The latter two benefits had been attributed to the presence of sulfurous compounds with chemopreventive properties known as benzyl isothiocyanate (Cowan 1999;Kim et al 2013;Lohiya et al 2008;Pedro et al 2011), The level ranging from 4.0 to 23.3 g/kg depending on the various processing methods for the pre-treatment of papaya seeds (Kermanshai et al 2001;Lee et al 2011).…”