An Evaluation of the Antibacterial Properties of Tormentic Acid Congener and Extracts From on Selected ESKAPE Pathogens and Effects on Biofilm Formation.

ESKAPE pathogens, namely, , , , , and species, are responsible for a majority of all healthcare-acquired infections (HAI). The bacteria cause nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. Extracts from have been shown to have antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. Tormentic acid congener, a pentacyclic triterpene saponin, was isolated from leaves. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effects of tormentic acid congener and leaf extracts on biofilm formation by , , and . The antibacterial effects were determined by the microbroth dilution method, and ciprofloxacin was used as the standard antibacterial drug. Biofilm formation and detachment assays were performed using crystal violet staining. Production of extracellular polymeric DNA and polysaccharides from biofilms was also determined. Tormentic acid congener showed time-dependent antibacterial activity against with a MIC of 100 g/ml and caused significant protein leakage. Antibacterial activity was found when tormentic acid congener was tested against both and . The MICs were found to be 25 g/ml and 12.5 g/ml for and cells, respectively. was found to be susceptible to tormentic acid congener and the hydroethanolic extract with an MIC of 100 g/ml and 25 g/ml, respectively. was found not to be susceptible to the compound or the extracts. The compound and the extracts caused a significant decrease in the biofilm extracellular polysaccharide content of . The extracts and tormentic acid congener caused detachment of biofilms and decreased the release of extracellular DNA and capsular polysaccharides from biofilms of and . Tormentic acid congener and extracts, thus, have significant antibacterial and antibiofilm activities on these selected ESKAPE bacteria and can act as source lead compounds for the development of antibacterial triterpenoids.