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In vitro shoot culture and antimicrobial activity of Berberis buxifolia Lam

  • Metabolic Engineering/Secondary Metabolism
  • Published:
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Abstract

Berberis buxifolia Lam., known as “Calafate”, is a plant native to Argentina that exhibits antimicrobial activity. This biological activity is attributed to the isoquinoline alkaloid berberine. The aim of this research was to test the antimicrobial properties of different extracts of this species, taking berberine as the reference molecule, and to examine if the expression of bacterial multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pumps could be responsible for possible resistance mechanisms. To this end, a wild-type and a mutant strain of Staphylococcus aureus with a defective MDR efflux pump were used and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the extracts were determined. The studies were carried out with infusions of in vivo shoots and “Calafate” commercial tea, as well as with the media derived from shoot cultures incubated with different plant growth regulators (thidiazuron, picloram, and jasmonic acid). As far as antimicrobial activity is concerned, all the extracts tested were significantly more effective than berberine standard. “Calafate” commercial tea and shoot tea had inhibitory concentrations similar to the one observed for ampicillin standard. The media from the shoot cultures, however, were significantly more effective than all the others, particularly the one derived from jasmonic acid, suggesting the presence of compounds that could be acting synergistically with berberine. There were no differences in antimicrobial activity against the wild-type and the mutant S. aureus; no definite conclusions could be drawn concerning the relationship between MDR pumps and possible pathogen resistance to extracts of B. buxifolia.

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Acknowledgements

Both the S. aureus 4222 parent strain and the norA mutant KLE 820 were a kind gift from Dr. Frank R. Stermitz (Colorado State University, USA). The researchers also wish to acknowledge Dr. Miriam Arena for providing the B. buxifolia plants. We are also thankful to Dr. Osvaldo H. Caso (†) for his advice and fruitful discussions.

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Author notes

  1. Patricia L. Marconi

    Present address: CONICET, Fundación Pablo Cassará, Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr César Milstein, Saladillo 2452 (1440FFX), Buenos Aires, Argentina

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CONICET, Fundación Pablo Cassará, Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología Dr César Milstein, Saladillo 2452 (1440FFX), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Sandra I. Pitta-Alvarez, María A. Alvarez & Patricia L. Marconi

  2. Arkansas Biosciences Institute and Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, P.O. Box 639, Jonesboro, AR, 72467, USA

    Fabricio Medina-Bolivar

  3. Centro de Ecofisiología Vegetal (CEVVEG), Serrano 669 (1414), Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Agustina A. Scambatto & Patricia L. Marconi

Authors
  1. Sandra I. Pitta-Alvarez
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  2. Fabricio Medina-Bolivar
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  3. María A. Alvarez
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  4. Agustina A. Scambatto
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  5. Patricia L. Marconi
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Correspondence to Patricia L. Marconi.

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Editor: Mark C. Jordan

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Pitta-Alvarez, S.I., Medina-Bolivar, F., Alvarez, M.A. et al. In vitro shoot culture and antimicrobial activity of Berberis buxifolia Lam. In Vitro Cell.Dev.Biol.-Plant 44, 502–507 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-008-9136-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11627-008-9136-z

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