Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and antioxidant properties of Chinese herbal extracts: Huangqin and Haunglian
Article Sidebar
Main Article Content
Abstract
Many types of Chinese herbs contain active compounds that exhibit antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), a major nosocomial problem. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of the Chinese herb extracts; Huangqin (黄芩) and Huang Lian (黄连), against methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) using microbiological method, their antioxidant activity using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, as well as total phenolic compounds using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The colorimetric broth microdilution method indicated that Huangqin (黄芩) had minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of 1.56 mg/mL and 1.56-12.50 mg/mL for MSSA, respectively and 1.56 mg/mL and 1.56-6.25 mg/mL, respectively for MRSA. Huanglian (黄连) showed stronger antibacterial activity with MIC and MBC values of 0.39 mg/mL and 0.78-1.56 mg/mL for MSSA, respectively, and 0.39-0.78 mg/mL and 0.78-6.25 mg/mL for MRSA, respectively. The IC50 values for antioxidant activity of Huangqin (黄芩) and Huanglian (黄连) were 0.067±0.017 mg/mL and 0.196±0.018 mg/mL, respectively. Total phenolic compounds was higher in Huangqin (黄芩) (44.8 mg GAE/g) compared to Huanglian (黄连) (36.11 mg GAE/g). In conclusion, each herb demonstrated antibacterial effects against MRSA and MSSA with no statistically significant difference. Huanglian (黄连) was more effective than Huangqin (黄芩), while Huangqin (黄芩) exhibited stronger antioxidant properties, suggesting both herbs could be developed as alternative treatments for S. aureus infections or for antioxidant activity.
Article Details
References
Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Antimicrobial resistance surveillance and investigation guidelines. 1st ed. Bangkok: Canna Graphic; 2022. (in Thai)
Wielders CL, Fluit AC, Brisse S, Verhoef J, Schmitz FJ. mecA gene is widely disseminated in Staphylococcus aureus population. J Clin Microbiol. 2002;40(11):3970-5.
World Health Organization. WHO bacterial priority pathogens list, 2024: bacterial pathogens of public health importance to guide research, development and strategies to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2024.
Kim G, Gan RY, Zhang D, Farha AK, Habimana O, Mavumengwana V, et al. Large-scale screening of 239 traditional Chinese medicinal plant extracts for their antibacterial activities against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxic activities. Pathogens. 2020;9(3):185.
Leach FS. Anti-microbial properties of Scutellaria baicalensis and Coptis chinensis, two traditional Chinese medicines. Bioscience Horizons. 2011;4(2):119-27.
Chanchal DK, Singh K, Bhushan B, Chaudhary JS, Kumar S, Varma AK, et al. An updated review of Chinese skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis): emphasis on phytochemical constituents and pharmacological attributes. Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine. 2023;9:100326.
Xu M, Ma Y, Wan LY. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory potential of Chinese medicinal herbs: Lonicerae flos, Lonicerae japonicae flos, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and Forsythia suspensa. Nat Prod Commun. 2022;17(11):1-21.
Powtongsook W, Rangsipanuratn W, Tubchan W, Semuang P, Sutin S, Meesin S. Antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of three Chinese herbs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. HCU Journal. 2023;27(1):78-90. (in Thai)
Chulsomlee S, Sinthupibulyakit C, Moolthiya P, Pirat N, Vichittumaros K, Narasinviwat N, et al. Total phenolic and flavonoid compounds of Chinese herbs extracts: Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC., Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz and Coptis chinensis Franch. Journal of Health Sciences and Wellness. 2025;29(1):116-25. (in Thai)
He QQ, Meneely J, Grant IR, Chin J, Fanning S, Situ C. Phytotherapeutic potential against MRSA: mechanisms, synergy, and therapeutic prospects. Chin Med. 2024;19(1):89.
Kim EH, Jang YA, Kim SB, Kim HH, Lee JT. Antimicrobial, antifungal effect and safety verification using BCOP assay of extracts from Coptis chinensis. J Appl Biol Chem. 2018;61(3):297-304.
Gongmeng U, Powtongsook W, Sutin S, Sillamut O. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Chinese herb extracts against skin pathogenic microorganisms. Proceedings 12th National & International Conference; 2021 Jan 15; Bangkok: Graduate School, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University; 2021. (in Thai)
Porwal P, Sharma SK. Synergistic effect between vancomycin and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. Pharmacological Research - Modern Chinese Medicine. 2024;13:100538.
Lee KW, Park SI. Anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory activity of Scutellaria baicalensis root supercritical fluid extracts. J Anim Plant Sci. 2024;34(6):1410-23.
Lim J, Kim K, Kwon DY, Kim JK, Sathasivam R, Park SU. Effects of different solvents on the extraction of phenolic and flavonoid compounds, and antioxidant activities, in Scutellaria baicalensis hairy roots. Horticulturae. 2024;10(2):160.
Liau PR, Wu MS, Lee CK. Inhibitory effects of Scutellaria baicalensis root extract on linoleic acid hydroperoxide-induced lung mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activities. Molecules. 2019;24(11):2143.
