Abstract
Two phenolic triterpenoids, pristimerol (30 µg/mL) and 8-epi-6-deoxoblepharodol (20 µg/mL), obtained by catalytic reduction of pristimerin, exhibited bacteriostatic action against Staphylococcus epidermidis. This activity was not dependent on the inoculum size and the growth phase although it showed a stronger effect when cells were growing actively. Addition of phenolic triterpenoids to S. epidermidis cultures in the log-phase of growth led to an inhibitory effect on incorporation and uptake of radiolabeled precursors thymidine, uridine, leucine, and N-acetyl-glucosamine after 30 min of treatment. Furthermore, a clear release of UV-absorbing material and leakage of intracellular potassium were also detected. These findings, coupled with the high lipophilicity of these molecules, shown by high ClogP values, suggest that 8-epi and pristimerol are able to interact within the lipid bilayer and as a consequence cause functional alterations on the cytoplasmic membrane of S. epidermidis cells.
Key words
pristimerol - 8‐epi‐6‐deoxoblepharodol - Celastraceae -
Staphylococcus epidermidis
- antibacterial activity - membrane disruption
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Prof. Dr. Laila Moujir
Departamento de Microbiología y Biología Celular, Facultad de Farmacia
Universidad de La Laguna
Avenida Astrofísico Francisco. Sánchez, s/n
38206 Tenerife
Canary Islands
Spain
Phone: +34 9 22 31 85 13
Fax: +34 9 22 31 84 77
Email: lmoujir@ull.es
