Exploring the Anti-Burkholderia cepacia Complex Activity of Essential Oils: A Preliminary Analysis.
In this work we have checked the ability of the essential oils extracted from six different medicinal plants (Eugenia caryophyllata, Origanum vulgare, Rosmarinus officinalis, Lavandula officinalis, Melaleuca alternifolia, and Thymus vulgaris) to inhibit the growth of 18 bacterial type strains belonging to the 18 known species of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). These bacteria are opportunistic human pathogens that can cause severe infection in immunocompromised patients, especially those affected by cystic fibrosis (CF), and are often resistant to multiple antibiotics. The analysis of the aromatograms produced by the six oils revealed that, in spite of their different chemical composition, all of them were able to contrast the growth of Bcc members. However, three of them (i.e., Eugenia caryophyllata, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus vulgaris) were particularly active versus the Bcc strains, including those exhibiting a high degree or resistance to ciprofloxacin, one of the most used antibiotics to treat Bcc infections. These three oils are also active toward both environmental and clinical strains (isolated from CF patients), suggesting that they might be used in the future to fight B. cepacia complex infections.
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Isabel
0000-0002-6304-1964
I
Maida
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Antonella
A
Lo Nostro
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Giovanna
0000-0001-5537-4980
G
Pesavento
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Martina
0000-0003-4551-8930
M
Barnabei
Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale G. B. Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Carmela
C
Calonico
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Elena
E
Perrin
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Carolina
C
Chiellini
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Marco
M
Fondi
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Alessio
A
Mengoni
Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Valentina
0000-0002-4227-7214
V
Maggini
Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Alfredo
A
Vannacci
Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Eugenia
0000-0003-3025-1698
E
Gallo
Department of Chemistry Ugo Schiff, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Anna Rita
AR
Bilia
Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, Via Bonanno 33, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
Guido
0000-0003-2418-9349
G
Flamini
Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Luigi
L
Gori
Center for Integrative Medicine, Careggi University Hospital, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Fabio
0000-0003-1911-2021
F
Firenzuoli
Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy ; Laboratory of Microbial and Molecular Evolution, Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Madonna del Piano 6, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019 Florence, Italy.
Renato
0000-0001-9114-2335
R
Fani