The extract of Hypericum ascyron L. induces bacterial cell death through apoptosis pathway

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Hypericum ascyron L. (H. ascyron L.) has been used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of wounds, swelling, headache, nausea, stomach ache, abscesses, dysentery and chronic bronchitis. Pharmacological studies are necessary to provide a scientific basis to substantiate their traditional use. In this study, antimicrobial effect and its mechanism of the H. ascyron L extract was investigated. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial activity of the H. ascyron L extract was evaluated by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT). To confirm the antimicrobial mechanism of H. ascyron L extract on bacterial cells, Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) double staining, TUNEL, and DNA laddering analysis were performed. Results: Antibacterial effects of the H. ascyron L extract were tested on Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus, and the results showed that the sensitive bacteria of H. ascyron L extract mainly included E coli, S. aureus and M. luteus, especially M. luteus. The MBC value of H. ascyron L extract on M. luteus was equal to the MIC (20 mg/mL). H. ascyron L extract could induce cells death of M. luteus through apoptosis pathway. Conclusions: This study provides scientific support for some of the traditional uses and the pharmacological activities of H. ascyron L Our data provide a rational base for the folkloric use of H. ascyron L (c) 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.