New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of persistent infections which are difficult to treat due to its biofilm formation capability and increased resistance to available drugs. Our previous research showed the high antibiofilm potential of the ethyl-acetate extract of Frangula alnus and its mai...

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Main Authors: Stefana Vuletić, Tea Ganić, Branka Lončarević, Stefana Cvetković, Biljana Nikolić, Marija Lješević, Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Belgrade 2025-04-01
Series:Comprehensive Plant Biology
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Online Access:https://cpb.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2025_49_1_922.pdf
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author Stefana Vuletić
Tea Ganić
Branka Lončarević
Stefana Cvetković
Biljana Nikolić
Marija Lješević
Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić
author_facet Stefana Vuletić
Tea Ganić
Branka Lončarević
Stefana Cvetković
Biljana Nikolić
Marija Lješević
Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić
author_sort Stefana Vuletić
collection DOAJ
description Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of persistent infections which are difficult to treat due to its biofilm formation capability and increased resistance to available drugs. Our previous research showed the high antibiofilm potential of the ethyl-acetate extract of Frangula alnus and its main component emodin against S. aureus so this study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind the observed activity. The main goal of this research was to examine the inhibitory effect of F. alnus ethyl-acetate extracts and emodin on S. aureus biofilm matrix components (exopolysaccharides and eDNA), persister cells, and the staphyloxanthin pigment. It was demonstrated that both substances significantly reduced the production of exopolysaccharides and the amount of eDNA, and decreased the number of persister cells in the studied strains and isolates. However, the effect on staphyloxanthin production was less pronounced, with emodin being more effective. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that both the ethylacetate extract of F. alnus and emodin are good candidates for novel antibiofilm agents acting on S. aureus biofilm at different levels.
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issn 3042-3201
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publisher University of Belgrade
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series Comprehensive Plant Biology
spelling doaj-art-e84cadced0444f81a680af2f4bb4a2322025-08-20T03:11:48ZengUniversity of BelgradeComprehensive Plant Biology3042-32012025-04-0149111410.2298/CPB2501001VNew insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureusStefana Vuletić0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8868-474XTea Ganić1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8600-4392Branka Lončarević2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2226-511XStefana Cvetković3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9214-4682Biljana Nikolić4https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1765-2454Marija Lješević5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8164-6043Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić6https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6651-6814University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Institute for Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, ICTM, Njegoševa 12, 11001 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Institute for Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy – National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, ICTM, Njegoševa 12, 11001 Belgrade, SerbiaUniversity of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, SerbiaStaphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of persistent infections which are difficult to treat due to its biofilm formation capability and increased resistance to available drugs. Our previous research showed the high antibiofilm potential of the ethyl-acetate extract of Frangula alnus and its main component emodin against S. aureus so this study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism behind the observed activity. The main goal of this research was to examine the inhibitory effect of F. alnus ethyl-acetate extracts and emodin on S. aureus biofilm matrix components (exopolysaccharides and eDNA), persister cells, and the staphyloxanthin pigment. It was demonstrated that both substances significantly reduced the production of exopolysaccharides and the amount of eDNA, and decreased the number of persister cells in the studied strains and isolates. However, the effect on staphyloxanthin production was less pronounced, with emodin being more effective. Based on the obtained results, it could be concluded that both the ethylacetate extract of F. alnus and emodin are good candidates for novel antibiofilm agents acting on S. aureus biofilm at different levels.https://cpb.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2025_49_1_922.pdfextracellular matrixpersister cellsstaphylococcus aureusstaphyloxanthin
spellingShingle Stefana Vuletić
Tea Ganić
Branka Lončarević
Stefana Cvetković
Biljana Nikolić
Marija Lješević
Dragana Mitić-Ćulafić
New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
Comprehensive Plant Biology
extracellular matrix
persister cells
staphylococcus aureus
staphyloxanthin
title New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
title_full New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
title_fullStr New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
title_full_unstemmed New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
title_short New insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the Frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward Staphylococcus aureus
title_sort new insights into the underlying mechanism involved in the frangula alnus antivirulence potential directed toward staphylococcus aureus
topic extracellular matrix
persister cells
staphylococcus aureus
staphyloxanthin
url https://cpb.bio.bg.ac.rs/arhiva/pdf/2025_49_1_922.pdf
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