First clues of
Flaveria trinervia (Spreng.) C. Mohr as an adjuvant against bacteria responsible
for Pneumonia
Maldonado-Sierra Nora Eloisa, González-Cruz Leopoldo, Mancera-Castro Pedro, Vargas-León
Enaim Aída, Cortes-López Humberto and Bernardino-Nicanor Aurea
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(2); 1-12;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/202rjbt01012; (2025)
Abstract
In some regions of Mexico, Flaveria trinervia (Spreng.) C. Mohr, also known as “Scotch
broom”, is used to treat respiratory diseases, but no scientific studies have been
carried out to confirm their possible therapeutic use. For this reason, in this
research, the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were evaluated along with
its possible mechanism of action. 16 extracts of flowers, leaves, stems and the
whole plant of Flaveria trinervia (Spreng.) C. Mohr were tested using hexane, chloroform,
acetone and methanol as extraction solvents. The higher yield and antioxidant activity
were obtained when methanol and acetone were used as extraction solvents for the
leaves. The antimicrobial activity against microorganisms associated with pneumonia
showed that the highest sensitivity was obtained for the two tested strains of S.
aureus (50F and ATCC-43300) when acetone was used as extraction solvent (0.57 and
1.53 mg/mL respectively).
On the other hand, the sensitivity of the tested Gram-negative microorganisms [A.
baumannii (A164) and P. aeruginosa (ATCC-14)] was in the range of 0.36 and 1.9 mg/mL,
similar to the positive control. Similar cell membrane damage was observed in all
tested microorganisms compared to the control group, especially regarding nucleic
acid leakage. These results were confirmed by the increase in penetration of the
crystal violet dye and the decrease in microbial density. The results are important
considering the greater antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
