In vitro activity of alpha-viniferin isolated from the roots of Carex humilis against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Abstract

This study explores the antitubercular activity of alpha-viniferin, a bioactive phytochemical compound obtained from Carex humilis. alpha-Viniferin was active against both drug-susceptible and -resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at MIC(50)s of 4.6 mu M in culture broth medium and MIC(50)s of 2.3-4.6 mu M inside macrophages and pneumocytes. In combination with streptomycin and ethambutol, alpha-viniferin exhibited an additive effect and partial synergy, respectively, against M. tuberculosis H37Rv. alpha-Viniferin also did not show cytotoxicity in any of the cell lines tested up to a concentration of 147 M, which gives this compound a selectivity index of >32. Moreover, alpha-viniferin was active against 3 Staphylococcus species, including methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE). (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.