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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research article

Antibacterial activity of Thymoquinone, an active principle of Nigella sativa and its potency to prevent bacterial biofilm formation

Authors: Kamel Chaieb, Bochra Kouidhi, Hanene Jrah, Kacem Mahdouani, Amina Bakhrouf

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Background

Thymoquinone is an active principle of Nigella sativa seed known as "Habbah Al-Sauda" in Arabic countries and "Sinouj" in Tunisia. Bacterial biofilms tend to exhibit significant tolerance to antimicrobials drugs during infections.

Methods

The antibacterial activity of Thymoquinone (TQ) and its biofilm inhibition potencies were investigated on 11 human pathogenic bacteria. The growth and development of the biofilm were assessed using the crystal violet (CV) and the 2, 3-bis [2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) reduction assay.

Results

TQ exhibited a significant bactericidal activity against the majority of the tested bacteria (MICs values ranged from 8 to 32 μg/ml) especially Gram positive cocci (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 106510). Crystal violet assay demonstrated that the minimum biofilm inhibition concentration (BIC50) was reached with 22 and 60 μg/ml for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Staphylococcus epidermidis CIP 106510 respectively. In addition our data revealed that cells oxidative activity was influenced by TQ supplementation. In the same way, TQ prevented cell adhesion to glass slides surface.

Conclusion

The ability of TQ to prevent biofilm formation warrants further investigation to explore its use as bioactive substances with antibiofilm potential.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Antibacterial activity of Thymoquinone, an active principle of Nigella sativa and its potency to prevent bacterial biofilm formation
Authors
Kamel Chaieb
Bochra Kouidhi
Hanene Jrah
Kacem Mahdouani
Amina Bakhrouf
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-11-29

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