In vitro activity of heather [Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull] extracts on selected urinary tract pathogens

Abstract

Calluna vulgaris L. Hull (Ericaceae) has been used for treatment of urinary tract infections in traditional medicine. In this study we analyzed in vitro antibacterial activity of the plant extracts on different strains of Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris, as well as the concentrations of total phenols and flavonoids in the extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined. The concentrations of total phenols were examined by using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and ranged between 67.55 to 142.46 mg GAE/g. The concentrations of flavonoids in extracts were determined using spectrophotometric method with aluminum chloride and the values ranged from 42.11 to 63.68 mg RUE/g. The aqueous extract of C. vulgaris showed a significant antibacterial activity. The values of MIC were in the range from 2.5 mg/ml to 20 mg/ml for this extract. Proteus vulgaris strains were found to be the most sensitive. The results obtained suggest that all tested extracts of C. vulgaris inhibit the growth of human pathogens, especially the aqueous extract.

Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull: chemical characterization, evaluation of its bioactive properties and effect on the vaginal microbiota

“…Infusions obtained with water, ethanol and ethyl acetate were tested against three different bacteria: Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Proteus vulgaris, describing that the aqueous extract was the most active and the ethyl acetate was the weakest. 10 These results are in agreement with the ones obtained in the present work.…”

“…Most of the results described in the literature evaluate the activity of organic extracts. 10,31 The antibacterial activity associated with aqueous, ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts of wild C. vulgaris flowers were studied against seven bacterial strains: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Candida albicans. 31 In contrast to the present work, the extract that showed the best activity was the hydroethanolic (MIC 2.0-8.5 mg mL −1 ), and the extract with the lowest potential was the ethanolic (MIC 10.8-43.2 mg mL −1 ).…”

“…4 It has different ethnopharmacological uses, such as in the treatment of eczema, wounds and acne, 5 rheumatic pain and arthritis problems, 6 and outstanding effects on the treatment of urinary infections, 4,6 disinfecting the urinary tract and mildly increasing urine production. 7 Besides the mentioned biological effects, different extracts of this shrubby species have been described as having antimicrobial, [8][9][10] antioxidant, 11,12 anti-inflammatory, 8,13 antinociceptive, 13 antiviral, 14 enzymatic inhibitory activity, 8,15 and cytotoxic capacity. 11,16 C. vulgaris presents this wide range of biological effects due to its richness in bioactive molecules, namely, phenolic compounds, that can be present in higher or lower amounts depending on the growing conditions such as the soil, climate and altitude.…”

Changes in the Content of Some Groups of Phenolic Compounds and Biological Activity of Extracts of Various Parts of Heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) at Different Growth Stages

“…Heather has long been used as a medicinal herb active against rheumatism, arthritis, as well as an antiseptic, choleretic, vulnerary, and expectorant [6,7]. Moreover, its decoction is applicable for treating the diseases of the urinary tract, which is indicative of its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and antimicrobial properties [8,9]. In addition, it is used as a preventive and therapeutic agent in increased irritability, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and decreased performance, all of which may be owing to its inhibitory effects on monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) [10,11].…”

Are Herbal Products an Alternative to Antibiotics?

“…The urinary tract infections are frequently encountered especially in woman, and many plants formulations have been used by centuries with both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential-Astragalus membranaceus (Mongolian milkvetch) root, Sophora flavescens (shrubby sophora), Lindera aggregata (lindera) root, Oldenlandia diffusa (snake-needle grass), Phellodendron amurense (Amur cork tree), Desmodium styracifolium (Guang Jing Qian Cao) [26]. Aqueous extract of Calluna vulgaris (common heather) and Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry, cowberry or bearberry) extract directly inhibit most uropathogenic strains or prevents biofilm formation [27,28].…”