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Plants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries as antibacterial and antifungal agents. Taraxacum spp., commonly known as dandelion, is a well-known herbal remedy with a long history; however, limited scientific information is available to explain its traditional use. This review aims to provide current information and a general overview of the available literature concerning the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the Taraxacum genus to support its potential as a powerful herbal medicine. Though Taraxacum has demonstrated that it is capable of inhibiting the growth of a wide range of bacteria and fungi, the technical aspects of methodology lack standardization, and, therefore, the overall results of processing are difficult to compare between studies. Phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity in Taraxacum are neither directly related, nor does the published data provide sufficient information for identifying the group of unique extraction conditions that are optimal against specific microorganisms. Antimicrobial research indicates that this plant is a promising species for treating several common infections in humans, animals, and plants.
Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Katy Díaz Peralta
Departamento de Química, Universidad Técnico Federico Santa María, Chile
Lorena Jorquera Martínez
Escuela de Ingeniería en Construcción, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
Rolando Chamy Maggi*
Escuela de Ingeniería Bioquímica, Facultad de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Chile
*Address all correspondence to: rolando.chamy@pucv.cl
1. Introduction
Plants have been used in traditional medicine for centuries due to the synthesis of several molecules that provide antibacterial and antifungal properties, the majority of which probably evolved as defenses against infection or predation [1]. The medicinal potential of many plants is still largely unexplored. Among the estimated 250,000–500,000 plant species, a relatively small percentage have been investigated phytochemically and the fraction submitted for biological or pharmacological screening is even smaller [2]; approximately 20% of the plant species in the world have been investigated for these properties [3]. In this context, dandelion serves as an interesting species with which to unify decades-old information regarding its biological potential against diverse microorganisms. This review gathers the existing results to advance the search for products that could strengthen the domestication and mass production of this plant.
The Taraxacum spp. commonly called dandelion is an herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. This common weed is found worldwide, though originally introduced from Eurasia, and can be found growing in parks, gardens, pastures, orchards, roadsides, vegetable gardens, and among agricultural and horticultural crops [4]. Primarily used as food, the role of Taraxacum in traditional medicine was mentioned during ancient times by the Greek physician Dioscorides in the first century and during the renaissance by monks in Cyprus [5]. This plant has been used to treat cystitis, liver and gastric ailments, hepatic and renal detoxification, diabetes, as an anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic agent, and, to a lesser extent, as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent, as described in several reviews [6, 7]. Ethnopharmacologically, its use as an antimicrobial agent has been known worldwide among varying cultures, though it has always been administered as a cataplasm (poultice) or infusion. The traditional antimicrobial uses of Taraxacum worldwide are displayed in Table 1.
Ethnopharmacological information of Taraxacum genus used as an antimicrobial traditional medicine.
Asia and Europe have an important historical background regarding the traditional uses of Taraxacum, primarily T. officinale, T. mongolicum, and T. coreanum. This traditional knowledge has been the principal reason for studying the potential uses and crop requirements of Taraxacum; studies in America remain scarce [18]. Due to the unscientific approach often present in oral traditions, uncertainty surrounds whether Taraxacum use effectively treats microbial infection or, instead, treats only the symptoms. Therefore, scientific research is extremely important in avoiding misinterpretation and myths regarding Taraxacum or any other plant.
The first antibacterial scientific study for Taraxacum was reported a mere 35 years ago [19]. More than a decade later, studies related to Taraxacum antimicrobial activity gained significant relevance as part of an Italian program between the University of Ferrara and the University of Naples for screening medicinal plants [20]. Nowadays, this plant is becoming a promising species in the treatment of several bacterial and fungal diseases due to the results of various antimicrobial-related studies. This chapter seeks to elucidate both the traditional uses and current state of Taraxacum in antimicrobial research to determine the potential that this genus has to become an industrial medicinal crop worldwide. Due to the high potential value that could be derived from the use of new technologies and industrial products developed from this type of plant species, the conservation and protection of the crop should be considered and sustainable global production strategies are developed in accordance with assessments of ecological, economic, and social factors.
2. Antimicrobial properties of the Taraxacum genus
Literature reviews providing information on the antimicrobial aspects of natural products, which had until now only been considered empirical, have been recently scientifically confirmed as a means of countering the increasing reports of pathogenic microorganisms resistant to synthetic antimicrobial agents. Some plant-derived compounds can control microbial growth, either separately or in association with conventional antimicrobials [21]. Currently, numerous studies seek to improve pathogen prevention by combining the application of medicinal herb extracts with an antibiotic or effective antipathogenic pesticide to reduce the active synthetic ingredient and resistant pathogenic strains.
2.1. Taraxacum species tested for antimicrobial properties
Among the Taraxacum genus, T. officinale is the most frequently reported species, with almost 80% of mentions in documents related to antimicrobial properties (see Table 2), followed by T. mongolicum and T. coreanum, though over 2500 Taraxacum species are currently identified [67]. Other, less studied species include T. platycarpum, T. farinosum, T. ohwianum, and T. phaleratum; however, the relevance of these species is confined to specific areas (mostly in Asia) in which they grow naturally since they are not deliberately cultivated for medicinal benefit. This indicates that the microbial properties of less than 1% of all Taraxacum species discovered have been studied, revealing the enormous research potential of this genus.
Physical parameters on Taraxacum extracts for testing antimicrobial activity.
NI, No indicated.
2.2. Bacterial and fungi strains tested
Taraxacum extracts have been tested on different bacterial and fungal strains affecting humans, animals, and plants to determine its antimicrobial profile, confirm its traditional usage, and expand its known uses. Antimicrobial agents are categorized based on the spectrum of action, namely “narrow” and “broad” spectrum, which indicates whether its use is specific for certain bacterial strains or active on a wider range. Bacterial infections can result in mild to life-threatening illnesses that require immediate antibiotic intervention. Alternatively, a superficial fungal infection is rarely life-threatening but can have debilitating effects and may spread to other people or become invasive or systemic, resulting in a life-threatening infection. The widespread, and sometimes inappropriate, use of chemical compounds can create antibiotic resistance. Due to this issue, the potential of Taraxacum as a useful, broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal agent that can be “easily and worldwide grown,” is highly valuable. A list of the strains against which Taraxacum’s antimicrobial activity has been tested is displayed in Table 3.
Bacterial and fungal strains on which Taraxacum extracts have been tested.
(+) Extracts of Taraxacum active against the pathogen; (−) extracts of Taraxacum inactive against the pathogen.
2.2.1. Human pathogens
In the study of antibacterial properties of these plants, most attention has been focused on human pathogenic strains, including S. aureus, E. faecalis, V. cholerae, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, and E. coli. These are the pathogens commonly responsible for infections in gastrointestinal and massive organ systems such as the lungs and skin. Taraxacum officinale is the species generally studied to combat these pathogens, but it has demonstrated diverse results depending on the extraction characteristics or the bioassay performed. For instance, a methanolic extract of T. officinale at 0.2 mg/mL was as effective as an antibacterial agent against M. luteus and V. cholera with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 1.0 and 12.5 mg/mL, respectively, but displayed no activity against S. aureus, E. faecalis, E. bacter, V. cholerae, B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumonia, or E. coli [37]. In the same study, the inhibition percentages achieved for mycelial growth of A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigatus, and R. solani were 37, 71, 85, and 78%, respectively. Other works indicate that methanolic T. officinale leaf extracts ranging from 0.003 to 0.5 mg/mL were active against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, S. sonnei, S. enterica serovar typhimurium, E. coli, K. pneumonia, C. albicans, and C. neoformans with MIC values ranging from 0.04 to 5.0 mg/mL [36]. A similar extract at 10 mg/mL displayed moderate growth diameter inhibition for S. typhi, but was highly active for S. aureus, B. cereus, and E. coli, even when no activity was observed for A. hydrophila [22]. Ethanolic extracts of 2.0 mg/mL were active against A. aureus, MRSA clinical, and B. cereus, with MIC values between 0.38 and 0.5 mg/mL, but were not effective against E. coli or S. typhi. In the same work, a water extract at the same concentration showed no activity against any strain tested [33]. Moreover, 21 ethanolic extracts from various plants were tested against 20 Salmonella serovars. Taraxacum inhibited only 5% of these, and was therefore not considered for additional antimicrobial studies [72].
Recently, methanolic and chloroformic leaf extracts of T. officinale were found to be effective against M. luteus, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, E. coli, and S. aureus with MIC values of 0.3 mg/mL and no observable activity for water extracts [41]. In this study, the highest impact was noted with methanol and chloroform extracts against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively, and the lowest with both extracts against P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, an ethanolic extract was effective against E. coli and S. aureus, but no activity was observed for either extract against K. pneumonia and P. aeruginosa at 50, 100, and 200 mg/mL. Nevertheless, a water extract was effective only for E. coli at 100 and 200 mg/mL [45]. Water and ethanolic extracts at 1.0 mg/mL exhibit effective inhibition against S. aureus and fewer inhibitory effects were observed for P. mirabilis; against S. aureus, an ethanolic extract was active at 0.5 mg/mL, but a water extract was only active at 1.0 mg/mL; and inhibition was not achieved for either extracts at 0.1 mg/mL [73]. An ethanolic extract was slightly active against B. subtilis and S. haemolyticus, but was inactive against other Gram positive and Gram negative strains, resulting in no further studies with this extract [20]. Furthermore, only weak activity was achieved by methanolic extracts of this plant against P. syringae [74].
Both ethanolic and water extracts of T. officinale were active for S. marcescens and M. kristinae. The ethanolic extract alone was active on P. vulgaris, E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. aureus with MIC values ranging from 1.0 to 7.0 mg/mL for all strains tested [25]. Similar extracts had antimicrobial effects on four species that induce acne (P. ovale, P. acnes, P. aeruginosa, and S. aureus) in broth dilution tests with effects depending on the extract concentration, but no further information was available [49]. Moreover, a leaf extract (0.04 mg/well) was reported as a bactericidal agent against S. aureus and fungistatic against C. albicans [52]. Contrarily, extracts of 130 and 200 mg/mL from aerial parts were unable to prevent the growth of 34 microorganisms from genera Bacillus, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Listeria, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Aspergillus, and Candida, among others; therefore, it was considered inactive at these concentrations in a disc diffusion assay [66]. A methanolic T. officinale flower extract was not active against E. coli or S. aureus at 1.0 mg/mL in a diffusion agar assay [62] and no activity was found on S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, or C. albicans using a leaf ethanolic extract when 0.05 mL were placed in sterile discs [57]. Furthermore, an ethanolic extract of leaves displayed no activity against S. aureus, E. coli, or S. abony by the serial dilution method [58], with the same results for root and leaf extracts on M. aurum and M. smegmatis at 0.5 mg/mL [63].
Raw extracts of T. officinale have been widely tested, as well as solvent fractions. In a study in which the methanolic leaf extract was fractioned by different solvents, the methyl chloride, ethyl acetate, and butanol fractions were active on E. coli, S. aureus, B. subtilis, C. albicans, and S. cerevisiae at 50 mg/mL, with inhibition percentages ranging from 13 to 76%. The water fraction showed moderate inhibition via the broth dilution method (10 and 14% for E. coli and B. subtilis, respectively) but no effect on the disc diffusion assay [34]. The only report in which a Taraxacum extract was compared to another natural antibacterial substance besides other plants extracts evaluated the use of T. officinale extract as an irrigation agent in endodontic treatments against E. faecalis in root canal infections. Leaf and root extracts at 0.7% were slightly active but propolis was more effective for this purpose [53]. In the case of commercial preparations, high activity has been reported for a commercial T. officinale ethanolic extract, showing antibacterial activity against H. pylori at 20 mg/mL with 26% inhibition but no observable activity for C. jejuni [54].
Considering other Taraxacum species, T. platycarpum anticandidal activity was determined against five different Candida sp. by agar diffusion assay. An ethanolic extract at 0.2 mg/mL weakly inhibited C. tropicalis but no other Candida strains [55]. A methanolic extract was active against B. subtilis, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes, E. coli, and V. parahaemolyticus at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 mg/mL, with growth inhibition ranging from 5.1 to 100%, correlating to the concentration. In that study, chloroform, butanol, and ethyl acetate fractions were active in the disc diffusion assay for almost every strain tested, but an aqueous extract was inactive [38, 39].
An ethanolic extract of T. mongolicum at 0.2 mg/mL was not able to achieve growth inhibition in a microdilution assay for B. subtilis, S. aureus, E. coli, or P. aeruginosa [64]. In contrast, an ethanolic extract of this species was active for E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa in the disc diffusion assay with MIC values between 0.05 and 0.1 mg/mL, which was three times higher than the values obtained for erythromycin. However, no activity was achieved for S. fiexneri or P. vulgaris [75]. Another report indicated that only the butanol fraction of an ethanolic extract of this plant was active on H. pylori, but water and methyl chloride fractions were inactive. Nevertheless, a different report indicated that a butanol fraction exerted higher inhibition (13%) than the aqueous fraction, possibly due to the flavonoid and luteolin content (28 and 1.1%, respectively) [31]. Against S. aureus and S. epidermis, an acetyl acetate fraction of an ethanolic T. coreanum extract was active at 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 mg/disc, a chloroform fraction was active at 1.0 and 3.0 mg/disc, and a butanol fraction at 1.0 mg/mL, but displayed no activity against MRSA displayed [28]. An ethanolic T. ohwianum extract was active against E. coli at 240 and 320 mg/mL, but not against S. aureus [32]. These authors indicate that the pH and temperature of the bioassay were important parameters in the antimicrobial performance of the extract. An extract of the aerial parts of T. phaleratum was inactive at 0.2 mg/mL against M. tuberculosis, even when several solvent fractions were tested [60].
Limited studies have been conducted on humans establishing the antimicrobial potential of Taraxacum extracts. Chinese language studies have reported the effects of various formulas containing T. mongolicum for medical treatment. An herbal formula known as “fu zheng qu xie” was just as effective as the antibiotic gentamycin in 75 cases of gastric disease caused by H. pylori. Furthermore, an herbal formula called “jie du yang gan gao,” which includes T. mongolicum, was significantly more effective than another botanical formulation in lowering elevated liver enzymes and curing patients with hepatitis B in a 96-person, double-blind trial [76].
2.2.2. Plant pathogens
Plant extracts have also been tested on bacteria and fungi that affect fruits and vegetables, causing rot diseases during postharvest handling, to find an alternative to chemical pesticides, which are harmful to the environment and human health. An aqueous T. officinale root extract (S) at different dilutions (S, S/2 to S/100) caused significant inhibition to mycelial growth in A. alternata (70% for S to 17% for S/100), P. expansum (67% for S to 5.3% for S/100), and M. piriformis (70% for S to 16% for S/100) [46]. In the case of R. solani and C. sativus, a Taraxacum acetyl acetate extract at a concentration of 100 mg/mL exhibited a weak effect on the growth of these plant pathogens and no inhibition of F. oxysporum [22]. A methanolic extract of Taraxacum at 0.2 mg/mL was not effective against A. niger, A. flavus, A. fumigates, or R. solani [37]. A methanolic extract of Taraxacum sp. displayed weak activity against C. sativus, F. oxysporum, and R. solani at 5 mg/disc and a water extract displayed no activity at all [56].
A T. officinale hydro-methanolic extract tested the inhibition of conidial germination and inhibition of germ tube elongation for several plant pathogens at several dilutions (0.25×, 0.5×, and 0.75×) using a microassay method on slides. Dilution at 0.75× showed inhibition of conidial germination values of 2, 3, 4, 9, 11, and 12% for P. italicum, A. niger, A. carbonarius, B. cinerea, M. laxa, and P. digitatum, respectively. For these same strains, excluding A. carbonarius, inhibition of germ tube elongation values were 56, 45, 38, 5 and 42%, respectively. For P. expansum, the plant extract did not show positive results for inhibition of conidial germination or inhibition of germ tube elongation. In artificially inoculated fruits, the extract applied to nectarines was not protective against brown rot development from M. laxa, while for apricots effects were similar to those of the negative control for P. digitatum [35]. Dichloromethane and diethyl ether T. officinale extracts were tested on P. expansum by applying either a solution or its vapor to paper discs. The dichloromethane extract was more active of the two models, though direct inoculation in apples offered no observable inhibition [26]. Water extracts of T. officinale and T. platycarpum were tested against C. lagenarium in cucumber, exhibiting inhibition rates of the anthracnose lesions of 1.9 and 13% in treated leaves, and 11 and 5.3% in untreated leaves, respectively. These results were not significant compared to other plant extracts [42]. In vivo evaluation of protective effects in plant tissue has not been as successful as the in vitro assays, which is typical in cases of inhibitory activity validation. To avoid these ineffective results, concentrations are increased to demonstrate the pathogen control effect.
2.2.3. Animal pathogens
Regarding animal pathogens, Saprolegnia infections can account for significant salmonid losses. Treatment is difficult and there are reservations regarding efficacy, prompting a search for suitable alternatives. A T. officinale root extract was not as effective as a fungistatic at 10, 100, 1000, or 10,000 mg/mL [61]. The effects of Taraxacum polysaccharides were studied on the preservation of white shrimp (Penaeus vannamei) during refrigerated storage (10 days at 4°C) by soaking the shrimps in aqueous extracts (1–3% w/v). Samples were periodically evaluated for total viable count, pH value, and total volatile basic nitrogen, which resulted in 2–3% of shrimp in fresh conditions (<30 mg/100 mg of total volatile basic nitrogen) and a total viable count that only increased slightly during storage. This indicated that the treatment effectively retarded bacterial growth during refrigerated storage, prolonging shrimp shelf life for up to 10 days [76].
In the case of the meat industry, an herb mixture including T. officinale as a substitute for fodder antibiotics in pig feeding revealed positive growth of the animal and no change in meat quality, confirming the possibility of using herbs as an antibiotic substitute in pig feed [77, 78]. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of T. mongolicum could also inhibit four pathogenic bacteria responsible for cow mastitis, a serious disease in the cow industry, at concentrations of 0.13, 0.25, and 0.5 g/mL. In this case, the ethanolic extracts displayed slightly better antibacterial activities than aqueous extracts. For E. coli, S. aureus, S. agalactiae, and S. dysgalactiae, inhibition zone diameters were slightly larger for aqueous than for ethanolic extracts but showed between medium and high sensitivity [79]. Dandelion extract can not only be used to control pathogens but also to supplement the diet of animals, which could result in increased meat, milk, whey, and other yields, contributing to the food industry. Alternatively, the extracts could be utilized in the agricultural industry as biofertilizers to promote plant growth and strengthen the plant against biotic and abiotic stress.
2.3. Taraxacum antimicrobial action mechanisms
Innate plant immunity involves various defense responses, including cell wall reinforcements, lytic enzyme biosynthesis, secondary metabolite production, and pathogenesis-related proteins. To protect themselves from non-beneficial microorganisms, plants accumulate secondary metabolites that form chemical barriers to microbial attacks (phytoanticipins) and produce antimicrobials (phytoalexins) [80]. Phenolics and terpenoids are considered the primary mechanisms for plant defenses because these reduce microbial attacks by disrupting the cell membranes in microorganisms, bind to adhesins and cell wall compounds, and inactivate enzymes, among other roles [81]. The action mechanisms of natural compounds are related to the disintegration of the cytoplasmic membrane and destabilization of the proton motive force, electron flow, active transport, coagulation of the cell content, inhibition of protein synthesis, inhibition of DNA synthesis, and the synthesis of metabolites used for DNA synthesis [82]. Some action mechanisms are specific to certain targets and some targets may also be affected by more than one mechanism [83]. A general scheme of the action’s sites and antimicrobial potential mechanism is presented in Figure 1 of Supporting Information.
Figure 1.
Main action mechanisms for antimicrobial agents (adapted from Mulvey and Simor [84]).
Even though Taraxacum is a plant with extremely high pathogen resistance, the underlying molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial activity are poorly studied [68]. Until now, most of the research on Taraxacum has focused on elucidating the compounds present in the extract, and, to a lesser extent, on the mechanism involved in the antimicrobial activity itself. One study specifically illustrated the effect of four proteins from T. officinale flowers on fungi by light microscopy and distinguished two modes of antimicrobial action, depending on the fungus tested. Taraxacum proteins completely blocked conidia germination or induced thickening of multiple local hyphae and irreversible cytoplasm plasmolysis [68, 69]. Different extracts from this genus showed positive inhibitory activity in controlled studies and were characterized by protein synthesis inhibition (e.g. chloramphenicol, tetracycline, gentamicin, and kanamycin) and cell wall synthesis (e.g. amphotericin, cefixime, cephalothin, and penicillin). These mechanisms need to be addressed to elucidate the Taraxacum active compound action mechanisms because a direct relation with the positive controls cannot be pursued.
Another response that has been studied is the modulation of microbe adherence to body tissues. Adhesion to epithelial cells has been represented as the first step in the subsequent bacterial invasion of host cells [59]. These authors reported the partial inhibition of intestinal adherence of C. jejuni HT-29 cells using a commercial ethanolic Taraxacum extract. Cytotoxic activity was less than 10%, but no antibacterial activity was observed. Moreover, Taraxacum has been tested with the aim of controlling bacterial diseases by inhibiting communication between bacteria. An ethanolic extract of T. officinale aerial parts disturbed bacterial communication systems (or quorum sensing) for C. violaceum, showing the moderately positive effect of the extract on the attenuation of microbial pathogenicity [30]. In contrast, an ethanolic and water extract of the rhizomes of the same plant showed no significant activity in the same assay [65].
2.4. Taraxacum compounds related to antimicrobial action
Several studies have named a wide range of compounds, including terpenes, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds, as responsible for the medicinal activity of different plants [85, 86]. For Taraxacum, only a few studies concerning its antimicrobial properties have considered chemical identification of the obtained extracts and this identification is chiefly qualitative (e.g. using colorimetric methods indicating presence or absence). Authors report the presence of terpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, coumarins, phenols, saponins, flavonoids, flavones, flavonols, chalcones, phlobatannins, and cardiac glycosides in antimicrobial extracts [22, 27, 34, 36, 37, 43, 44, 45, 87, 88] but neither compound isolation nor further identification were performed.
Taraxasterol acetate, lupeol acetate, tranexamic acid, and squalene, among others, were identified in the dichloromethane extract of T. officinale leaves, which show low activity against E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, C. albicans, and T. mentagrophytes in an agar well assay at 30 μg but no observed activity against S. aureus or A. niger [27]. Terpenoids and flavonoids were identified in the ethanolic extracts of the T. farinosum root, which displayed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, S. typhi, M. canis, and T. longifusus in an agar well diffusion and agar tube dilution, while the herb extract was active only against the latter two strains [51]. Fractions of a methanolic root extract indicated the significant presence of phenolic-based compounds and hydroxyl-fatty acids with liquid and mass spectrometry, and were active against S. aureus, MRSA clinical, and B. cereus at 2 mg/mL, with MIC values ranging from 0.05 to 0.19 mg/mL, and crude extracts indicating values of 0.25–0.5 mg/mL [33]. An oligosaccharide extract (DOs) from this species exhibited high antibacterial activity against E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. aureus at 100 mg/mL, indicating that these oligosaccharides could potentially be used as antibacterial agents [48].
Concerning specific compounds, isolated Taraxacum peptides displayed antimicrobial activity at 6 μg/μL, corresponding to 52–79% of kanamycin activity against P. syringae, B. subtilis, and X. campestris at the same concentration [69], which is a promising value that warrants further experiments. These authors indicated that though A. niger appeared sensitive to four proteins (ToAMP1, ToAMP2, ToAMP3, and ToAMP4) from T. officinale flowers, F. graminearum was not susceptible to any of these proteins. All proteins displayed inhibition activity against B. cinerea, B. sorokiniana, A. niger, P. debaryanum, F. oxysporum, and P. infestans, with IC50 values ranging between 1.2 and 5.8 μM. The ToAMPs were also active against P. syringae, B. subtilis, and X. campestris, similar to a kanamycin control. Additionally, ToAMP2 was active against C. michiganensis at up to 0.5 μg/μL. The disease development of P. infestans was inhibited by ToAMP2 at 1.3 μM (20–40%) to 5.2 μM (10–20%). In further studies, B. sorokiniana, C. gloeosporioides, and V. albo-atrum were insensitive to ToAMP4, another peptide isolated from the seed extract of T. officinale, at concentrations below 15 mM. The IC50 values for the agent-sensitive fungi A. alternata, A. niger, F. avenaceum, and P. betae ranged from 2.9 to 13.1 mM, with MIC values from 1.0 to 8.0 mM; no activity was observed for P. syringae, B. subtilis, E. coli, or C. michiganensis [68, 69]. Peptides supposedly have broad-spectrum activity, lack of microbial resistance, and high efficacy [69], but some action mechanisms in these molecules are still poorly defined [89]. Peptides related to albumin 2S from Taraxacum seeds are active against phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria. Antifungal assays displayed different activities for the 2S isoforms (ToA1, ToA2, and ToA3). The spore germination of B. cinerea, A. niger, and P. debaryanum were the most tolerant, and H. sativum, P. betae, and V. albo-atrum were the most sensitive at concentrations ranging from 0.063 mg/mL to 0.25 mg/mL. H. sativum and P. betae were inhibited by ToA1, ToA2, and ToA3, but F. oxysporum and V. albo-atrum were only inhibited by ToA2 and ToA3, respectively. In potato tubers, P. infestans was inhibited by ToA3 at 0.06 mg/mL at 96 and 120 h, but at 144 h ToA2 inhibited better at 0.13 mg/mL [23]. Interestingly, an antimicrobial filtrate isolated from the fungal strains of P. betae (PG23) from T. mongolicum was proven active against E. coli, S. aureus, A. hydrophila, E. tarda, and P. multocida, and proposed as a potential antimicrobial product for poultry and aquatic disease control [88].
3. Driving forces and tendencies in Taraxacum antimicrobial research
Between 2000 and 2010, approximately 40 new drugs originating from terrestrial plants, terrestrial microorganisms, marine organisms, and terrestrial vertebrates and invertebrates against different bacteria, fungi, and viruses were launched on the market [90]. This follows distinct research tendencies. Studies related to antimicrobial and antifungal properties generally aim, in developing and developed countries, to respond to the necessity of finding new drugs or products based on traditional medicine at a low cost, confirming already established activity originating from oral tradition. The driving force behind studying new antimicrobial alternatives is the necessity of finding new drugs or natural products that act against diseases due to the increased drug resistance in the latter. Furthermore, the toxicity of synthetic compounds currently utilized in farming and agricultural industries has created a market for natural compounds that are safer, cheaper, and more effective against pathogens.
Modern phytochemistry, scientific equipment, and technology have had a significant impact on natural product chemistry, including isolation, extraction, purification, and structure determination. However, this discipline still demands that research investigators establish the clinical significance of natural compounds and recognize them as drugs or industrial products (pesticides, bactericides, pharmaceutical products, etc.) [91]. Bioactive compounds in botanical drugs are purportedly superior to monosubstances because of synergistic effects. Similarly, multidrug therapy is highly important against resistant microbial strains due to the enhanced efficacy, reduced toxicity, decreased adverse side effects, increased bioavailability, lowered dosage, and reduced evolution of antimicrobial resistance [92].
Even when antibiotics have been effective in treating infectious diseases, resistance to the action mechanisms has led to the emergence of new and the re-emergence of old infectious diseases. Several plant extracts exhibit synergistic activity against microorganisms, with natural products (including flavonoids and essential oils) and synthetic drugs effectively combating bacterial, fungal, and mycobacterial infections. The mode of action of combinations differs significantly from the individual use of the same drugs; hence, isolating a single component may not highlight its importance, simplifying the task of the pharmacological industries [93].
This work has been supported by Innova Chile CORFO Code FCR-CSB 09CEII-6991 and a doctoral fellowship awarded by the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Chile Project DI Iniciación COD 039.454/2017 Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
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Written By
María Eugenia Martínez Valenzuela, Katy Díaz Peralta, Lorena
Jorquera Martínez and Rolando Chamy Maggi
Submitted: 14 June 2017Reviewed: 11 October 2017Published: 05 November 2018
