Abstract
The fungus growing termite species Macrotermes bellicosus (M. bellicosus) is used in nutrition and traditional medicine in the Republic of Benin for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Previous findings demonstrated evidence of anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic properties of M. bellicosus. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of different extracts of M. bellicosus samples and determine the chemical profile of an ethanolic M. bellicosus extract. Chemical profiling was conducted using centrifugal partition chromatography and 13C-NMR, followed by MALDI-TOF MS. Major identified compounds include hydroquinone (HQ), methylhydroquinone (MHQ), 3,4-dihydroxyphenethyl glycol (DHPG), N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and niacinamide. The fatty acid mixture of the extract was mainly composed of linoleic and oleic acid and highlights the nutritional purpose of M. bellicosus. Using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion and broth microdilution assay, an antibacterial activity of M. bellicosus samples was observed against various clinical strains with a highest growth inhibition of S. aureus. In addition, HQ and MHQ as well as fractions containing DHPG, niacinamide and NADA inhibited S. aureus growth. The reported antimicrobial activity of M. bellicosus and identified active substances provide a rationale for the traditional medicinal use of M. bellicosus.
Highlights
Though insects have been widely used throughout history for medical treatment on nearly every continent, relatively little ethnopharmacological research has been conducted in comparison to medicinal plants [1]
In view of the above consideration, the present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial potential of an M. bellicosus ethanolic extract in a first instance
The present study demonstrated that a M. bellicosus extract exerts antimicrobial activity against various clinical strains
Summary
Though insects have been widely used throughout history for medical treatment on nearly every continent, relatively little ethnopharmacological research has been conducted in comparison to medicinal plants [1]. One example are fungus-growing termites and derived products (termite mound and fungus comb) which are considered essential in tropical Africa because of their uses in nutrition and traditional medicine of various societies [2]. Macrotermes bellicosus (Smeathman, 1781), a species belonging to the Macrotermitidae is native to the Republic of Benin where it is considered a natural resource for nutritional, cultural and medicinal purposes. In a previous ethnomedicinal survey, it was found that M. bellicosus is mainly used to treat digestive disorders, mumps, snake bites, cough, diarrhea, dysentery and pulmonary infection in different districts of northern Benin [4]. Most of the reported traditional indications include diseases with infectious and inflammatory etiology and, depending on the treated disease, the termites are applied orally or topically as dried and powdered preparations.
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