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Antibacterial Activity and Mode of Action of Mentha arvensis Ethanol Extract against Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii


Ling Zhang
Shu-gen Xu
Wei Liang
Jun Mei
Yue-ying Di
Hui-hua Lan
Yan Yang
Wei-wei Wang
Yuan-yuan Luo
Hou-zhao Wang

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the antibacterial effect of ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS).

Methods: Disc diffusion and microdilution assays were used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of the extract by measuring the zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and and minimum bacteriocidal concentration (MBC) of the extract against the test bacteria. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to evaluate the morphological changes induced by the extract in cellular membrane of the bacteria. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and protein leakage from the bacterial cells induced by the extract were also evaluated.

Results: The extract showed dose-dependent growth inhibitory effects against A. baumannii with MIC and MBC of 23.5 and 72.1 μg/mL, respectively. The extract also induced potent ROS generation and protein leakage in A. baumannii bacterial cells. SEM findings revealed that the extract induced potential cellular damage which increased with increasing extract concentration.

Conclusion: The ethanol extract of Mentha arvensis is a potent antibacterial agent against A. baumannii and acts by inducing lethal cellular damage to the bacterium.

Keywords: Mentha arvensis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Reactive oxygen species, Antibacterial activity, Cellular membrane damage


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1596-9827
print ISSN: 1596-5996