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Planta Med 2024; 90(06): 469-481
DOI: 10.1055/a-2289-2423
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers

Antibacterial Activities of the Algal Bromophenol Methylrhodomelol Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Joshua Jacobtorweihen
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Germany
,
Anja Hartmann
2   Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
Stefanie Hofer
2   Institute of Pharmacy, Pharmacognosy, University of Innsbruck, Austria
,
Verena Spiegler 
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Germany
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Abstract

Methylrhodomelol (1) is a bromophenol from the red alga Vertebrata lanosa that has been associated with antimicrobial properties. The aim of the current study was, therefore, to assess the antimicrobial potential of this compound in more detail against the gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 1 exerted weak bacteriostatic activity against different strains when grown in minimal medium, whereas other phenolics were inactive. In addition, 1 (35 and 10 µg/mL) markedly enhanced the susceptibility of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa toward the aminoglycoside gentamicin, while it did not affect the viability of Vero kidney cells up to 100 µM. Finally, pyoverdine release was reduced in bacteria treated at sub-inhibitory concentration, but no effect on other virulence factors was observed. Transcriptome analysis of treated versus untreated P. aeruginosa indicated an interference of 1 with bacterial carbon and energy metabolism, which was corroborated by RT-qPCR and decreased ATP-levels in treated bacteria. In summary, the current study characterized the antibacterial properties of methylrhodomelol, revealed its potential as an adjuvant to standard antibiotics, and generated a hypothesis on its mode of action.

Keywords

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - methylrhodomelol - antimicrobial - bromophenol - Vertebrata lanosa - Rhodomelaceae

Supporting Information

    Supplementary Data include growth curves of P. aeruginosa ATCC27853 under different conditions and primer sequences used for RT-qPCR.

  • Supporting Information


Publication History

Received: 08 December 2023

Accepted: 07 March 2024

Article published online:
05 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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