Abstract
Herbal teas are becoming popular as functional beverages due to their various health promotional properties. This study aimed at assessing 13 hot water infusions (HWIs) from different herbs against streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat). Licorice root exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 1.56 mg/mL, followed by barberry root, thyme, and oregano flowering shoots, with a MIC of 3.13 mg/mL. At their respective minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), licorice showed the bactericidal effect on S. pyogenes within 12 h after exposure while others need 24 h for a similar outcome. The HWIs exhibited inhibitory activity on biofilm formation, ranging from 1.56 to 6.25 mg/mL, which confirmed by ruptured cells or clusters of dead cell debris observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM). Overall, non-toxic concentrations of efficacious HWIs from licorice root, barberry root, thyme, and oregano flowering shoots may provide potential sources for developing herbal teas or biomedicine for the management of S. pyogenes infections.
Highlights
The therapeutic properties of various spices and herbal plants have been used to treat several bacterial infections
The full-scan mode total ion chromatograms, SIM scan channels, mass spectrum, and molecular structure of the selected major phytochemicals identified by UPLC-electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS/MS of most effective hot water infusions (HWIs), licorice root, are presented in UPLC-ESI-MS/MS identification results of barberry root, oregano flowering shoots, and thyme flowering shoots are included in supplementary figures section (Figures S1–S3)
We report the inhibitory effect on the growth and formation of biofilm of S. pyogenes by phytochemical-rich HWIs of selected Canadian traditional herbal plants
Summary
The therapeutic properties of various spices and herbal plants have been used to treat several bacterial infections. Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), an acute infection of the nasopharynx and oropharynx, is one of the common upper respiratory infections, primarily caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. It accounts for more than 37% of all diagnosed sore throat cases in children and up to 5–10% in adults reports millions of cases per year worldwide [1,2]. Plant-derived new natural antimicrobial agents have been explored against various infectious bacteria, including. A World Health Organization survey reported that around 70–80% of the world population use herbal remedies as their primary health care [4]. Usage of complementary and alternative therapies in Canada has increased at an exponentially growing pace in recent years, and the estimated use of alternative or herbal remedies in place of conventional medicine is nearly 30% of the total population in the United States [5]
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