Assessing the susceptibility of some gut bacteria to the extract from needles of Turkish pine

Abstract

Plant extracts have the potential to be safe alternatives to antibiotics that disrupt the gut flora. The aim of the present study was to assess the susceptibility of some gut bacteria to the extract from needles of Turkish pine (Pinus brutia Ten.) using microdilution method in an anaerobic chamber. Turkish pine needle extract promoted the growth of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus acidophilus from gut commensals at 0.2-6.25 mg/mL, 0.4-6.25 mg/mL, and 0.4-1.6 mg/mL dose ranges, respectively (P<0.05). However, the extract had a potential inhibitory activity on Bifidobacterium species starting from 12.5 mg/mL, on L. acidophilus starting from 6.25 mg/mL, and L. casei starting from 3.13 mg/mL concentrations (P<0.05). Minimal inhibitor concentration (MIC) was 25 mg/mL for all commensal species. Turkish pine needle extract also showed a potential inhibitory activity against gut pathogens Escherichia coli and Clostridium perfringens from 0.4 mg/mL and against Staphylococcus aureus and Fusobacterium nucleatum from 0.8 mg/mL dose (P<0.05). The MICs were 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/mL for S. aureus, F. nucleatum, E. coli, and C. perfringens, respectively. It was concluded that using the Turkish pine needle extract in a dose range of 0.2-12.5 mg/mL, where it protected most of the commensal bacteria and was toxic against some of the pathogens, might produce desirable impacts in the gut.

Keywords

• Antibacterial
• Gut bacteria
• MIC
• Plant extracts
• Turkish pine needle

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