Abstract
Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. is indicated in Brazilian traditional medicine to treat rheumatism, headache and sinusitis. To evaluate the effect of extracts and fractions of flowers from Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. in order to provide a scientific rationale for the use of the plant for the treatment of sinusitis, this study was realized. The extracts and fractions were prepared and analyzed by phytochemical investigation. Antibacterial activity against 12 bacterial pathogens associated with sinusitis was evaluated by employing an agar dilution method. The hexane fraction showed the broader activity spectrum inhibiting 10 out of the 12 tested bacteria specially Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Fusobacterium necrophorum. The lower MIC value was observed for the ethyl acetate fraction against Streptococcus pneumoniae (32 µgµL-1). All extracts and fractions tested expressed activity against Prevotella intermedia. On the other hand, none of them exhibited antibacterial effect against Streptococcus agalactiae. The solution used in Brazilian traditional medicine showed inhibitory activity against microorganisms isolated from acute and chronic sinusitis patients. This study demonstrates the promising antibacterial activity of Alpinia zerumbet (Pers.) B.L. Burtt & R.M. Sm. against bacteria responsible for acute and chronic sinusitis and validates its use for the first time.
Highlights
Sinusitis is defined as an inflammation of the tissues lining one or more of the paranasal sinuses to an upper respiratory tract infection, an allergic reaction, or autoimmune problems
Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic bacteria (Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Peptostreptococcus) are the main microorganisms recovered from chronic sinusitis patients (Brook, 2011)
Sm. against sinusitis-associated bacterial pathogens contributes to validate its use as a traditional treatment for the disease
Summary
Sinusitis is defined as an inflammation of the tissues lining one or more of the paranasal sinuses to an upper respiratory tract infection, an allergic reaction, or autoimmune problems. Infectious sinusitis is a highly prevalent respiratory condition associated predominantly with viruses. The most common bacteria isolated from pediatric and adult patients with acute sinusitis are Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis and Streptococcus pyogenes. Staphylococcus aureus and anaerobic bacteria (Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Fusobacterium, and Peptostreptococcus) are the main microorganisms recovered from chronic sinusitis patients (Brook, 2011). In the United States, the annual treatment cost associated with the disease has been estimated at $ 3.5 - 5.8 billion, including $ 1.8 billion for children less than 12 years of age (Abzug, 2014). Conventional medical treatment of sinusitis includes antibacterials and corticosteroids, with adjunctive care involving decongestants and antihistamines (Helms and Miller, 2006)
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