Lycium shawii Roem. & Schult.: A new bioactive antimicrobial and antioxidant agent to combat multi-drug/pan-drug resistant pathogens of wound burn infections

Abstract

The Multidrug Drug Resistance (MDR) and Pan-Drug Resistance (PDR) remain an intractable challenge issue in public health, worldwide. Plant extracts-based biological macromolecules containing a diverse array of secondary metabolites could be potentially used as alternative approaches to control or limit MDR/PDR infections. Plants of the Solanaceae family exhibit a wide variety of secondary metabolites with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, which render them a significant role in food and pharmaceutical applications. To our knowledge, this is the first report on phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities and in vivo toxicological safety of Lycium shawii leaf extracts. Results revealed that phenolics and flavonoids were found to be the most abundant compounds in all extracts. Antioxidant activity of extracts was measured using DPPH ^• and ABTS ^•+ assays and the methanol extract displayed superior scavenging activity (IC ₅₀ = 0.06 and 0.007 mg/mL for DPPH ^• and ABTS ^•+, respectively). Results of the GC-MS analysis revealed the identity of 10 compounds. Moreover, in vivo toxicological assessment can confirm the safety of L. shawii for use. Overall, L. shawii leaves are a promising natural source for the development of novel antimicrobial and antioxidant agents that could potentially combat clinical MDR/PDR pathogens.

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  The drug resistance remains an intractable challenge in public health.

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  Phenolics and flavonoids were the most abundant compounds in all extracts.

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  Methanol extract was the most antioxidant and antimicrobial agent.

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  p-coumaric acid, apigenin, and fisetin are the major identified compounds.

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  In vivo toxicological assessment can confirm the safety of L. shawii for use.