Comparative Phytochemical Profiling and Antibacterial Efficacy of Syzygium Cumini (L.) Skeels Extracts Against Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Uropathogens

Abstract

Introduction: Urinary tract infections are the one of the most common bacterial infections in the world. However, their multidrug resistance, due to the ESBL-producing uropathogens, is growing at an alarming rate. Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels long used in traditional medicine, exhibits notable antibacterial activity against ESBL-producing uropathogens, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic option for managing multidrug-resistant urinary tract infections.

Objectives: In the present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels seed and fruit pulp extracts against clinical ESBL-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Methods: The plant materials were extracted using the cold maceration method with increasing solvent polarity which included n-hexane, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol. The qualitative phytochemical evaluation was done using standard procedures. The antibacterial assay was done using agar well diffusion method. The bacterial strains were urinary tract pathogens which were identified as ESBL producers.

Results: The results of antibacterial activity by well-diffusion method revealed that the ethanolic and acetone extracts showed higher inhibition zones for all extracts with a maximum diameter of 29 mm from seed ethanolic extracts against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Also, low or no zones of inhibition were observed in nonpolar solvents like hexane and petroleum ether, not eliminated with bioactive polar constituents in the plant. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of various bioactive compounds that contributes to the antibacterial activity.

Conclusions: The antibacterial activity of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels is a result of the presence of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids and tannins known to exhibit antimicrobial and antioxidant activity. The study concluded that the seeds of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels are more promisingly a source of natural anti-antibacterial compounds. Hence, our finding scientifically supports the traditional medicinal use of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels seed extracts, especially ethanol extracts, which could be potential alternatives against infections caused by multi drug resistant uropathogens in clinical conditions.