Epidihydropinidine, the main piperidine alkaloid compound of Norway spruce (Picea abies) shows promising antibacterial and anti-Candida activity.
This study reports for the first time promising antibacterial and antifungal effects of epidihydropinidine, the major piperidine alkaloid in the needles and bark of Norway spruce, Picea abies (L.) Karsten. Epidihydropinidine was growth inhibitory against all bacterial and fungal strains used in our investigation, showing the lowest MIC value of 5.37μg/mL against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida glabrata and C. albicans. Epidihydropinidine was nearly three times more active than tetracycline against P. aeruginosa and E. faecalis. Promising antibacterial effects were also recorded against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus (MIC 10.75μg/mL) as well as against Salmonella enterica (MIC and MBC 43μg/mL). Our preliminary results suggest that epidihydropinidine as well related alkaloids of Norway spruce could be powerful candidates for new antibiotics and for preventing food spoilage.
Division of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56, FIN-00014, University of Helsinki, Finland. Electronic address: pia.fyhrquist@helsinki.fi.
Pia
P
Fyhrquist
Natural Product Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, Joensuu, Finland.
Virpi
V
Virjamo
Natural Product Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, Joensuu, Finland.
Eveliina
E
Hiltunen
Natural Product Research Laboratory, Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, Joensuu, Finland.
Riitta
R
Julkunen-Tiitto
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002175:Candida / Q000187:drug effects; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D028222:Picea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010880:Piperidines / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects
D000470:Alkaloids; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D010880:Piperidines; C559181:epidihydropinidine
Anti-Candida; Antibacterial; Epidihydropinidine; Picea abies; Piperidine alkaloids