Trends
Sci.
2025; 22(10):
10540
Phytochemical Profiling and Bactericidal Mechanism of Crinum wattii Extracts
Sirilak Kamonwannasit1, Bung-on Prajanban1,
Orrasa Prasitnok2, Piaw Phatai3 and Agarat Kamcharoen1,*
1Department of Agro-Industrial Product Development, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Burapha University, Sakaeo, 27160, Thailand
2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
3Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Udon Thani Rajabhat University, Udon Thani 41000, Thailand
(*Corresponding author’s e-mail: [email protected])
Received: 2 May 2025, Revised: 26 May 2025, Accepted: 10 June 2025, Published: 30 July 2025
Abstract
Crinum wattii Baker, a perennial herb from the Amaryllidaceae family, was studied for its phytochemical content and antibacterial activity. Aqueous (AQE), ethanol (ETE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and chloroform (CFE) extracts from bulb samples were analyzed using colorimetric assays and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The ETE contained 47.93 mg/g of lycorine, suggesting its use as a quality control marker. AQE, EAE, and ETE showed high levels of tannins, flavonoids, and phenolics, respectively. Antibacterial activity was evaluated via disc diffusion method, revealing ETE as the most potent, especially against Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed ETE-induced bacterial lysis and abnormal elongation, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy indicated reductions in protein amides, polysaccharides, ester lipids, and nucleic acids, alongside an increase in phospholipids. These findings suggest that ETE disrupts bacterial protein, DNA, and cell wall synthesis in Bacillus subtilis, as evidenced by FT-IR analysis and ultrastructural changes. However, further molecular-level studies are required to identify the specific targets and mechanisms involved. In summary, C. wattii ETE, rich in lycorine and phenolics, exerts bactericidal effects through a lysis-based mechanism.
Keywords: Bactericidal activity, Crinum wattii extracts, Ethanolic extract, Lycorine alkaloid, Material characterization, Mechanism action, Phytochemical profiling
Introduction
Crinum wattii Baker, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family, is found in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand. This plant family is known for its toxic alkaloid content, particularly concentrated in the bulbs, making them inedible. Despite their toxicity, Amaryllidaceae plants have been widely used in traditional medicine to treat infections, inflammation, and other ailments. Previous studies have demonstrated their pharmacological potential, including antioxidative, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities [1-10]. However, little is known about the specific bioactive compounds responsible for these effects in C. wattii.
Our recent study evaluated the phytochemical composition, toxicity, and anti-inflammatory activities of C. wattii bulb extracts [11], but several critical gaps remained unaddressed. Specifically, no previous research had systematically compared the phytochemical content of C. wattii extracts obtained using different solvents (aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform), nor had the variations in phenolic, flavonoid, or tannin content across these extracts been evaluated. Furthermore, although alkaloids were reported in Amaryllidaceae plants, the presence and quantification of lycorine in C. wattii had not been investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, no studies had assessed the antibacterial activity of C. wattii extracts against a panel of bacterial strains or explored the underlying bactericidal mechanisms.
Given these gaps, it is essential to consider the broader pharmacological importance of plant-derived alkaloids in relation to the therapeutic potential of C. wattii. Natural products, particularly plant-derived alkaloids and polyphenols, have been a consistent source of lead compounds in drug delivery [12-14]. Alkaloids, key secondary metabolites in plants, have demonstrated broad pharmacological applications, including in analgesia, cancer therapy, and infectious disease treatment [12-17]. Among these, lycorine, a major alkaloid in Amaryllidaceae species, exhibits antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities [3,10,18]. Various Crinum species serve as natural sources of lycorine [3,10,19] with studies indicating its strong antibacterial effects, particularly against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. However, no research has quantified lycorine in C. wattii, and its antibacterial activity and mechanism of action remained completely unexplored prior to this study.
With increasing global concerns over antibiotic resistance, the search for novel, effective, and sustainable antimicrobial agents has become increasingly urgent. Natural products, particularly plant-derived compounds, are gaining renewed attention due to their diverse pharmacological properties and eco-friendly sourcing [12,13]. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of plant-based materials not only in direct antibacterial applications but also as agents or templates in nanomaterial synthesis for biomedical and environmental uses. For instance, green-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles [20], influenced by phytochemical-rich plant extracts, have shown promising results in degrading pollutants and inhibiting microbial growth. Likewise, biomass-derived organonanomaterials [21] have demonstrated utility in imaging and therapeutic applications, further underscoring the multifunctionality of plant-derived compounds. These advancements emphasize the importance of exploring underutilized medicinal plants such as C. wattii, which offer rich phytochemical reservoirs, including lycorine and phenolics that may serve both as antimicrobial agents and components of advanced bio-functional materials.
This study builds upon these concepts by exploring the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of C. wattii bulb extract. Lycorine was identified as a key compound, and its potential as a chemical marker for quality control is highlighted. Notably, the ethanolic extract (ETE) exhibited bactericidal effects against Bacillus subtilis by interfering with protein, DNA, and cell wall synthesis. This is the 1st report to (1) quantify lycorine in C. wattii, (2) evaluate antibacterial activity across extracts, and (3) reveal its bactericidal mechanism through ultrastructural and spectroscopic analysis. These findings support the potential of C. wattii as a natural antibacterial agent.
Materials and methods
Extract preparation
Fresh Crinum wattii bulbs were collected from Burapha University Sakaeo Campus, Sa Kaeo Province, and authenticated by Dr.Chakkrapong Rattamanee (Voucher specimen No. AgriTech-003). The bulbs were washed, chopped, oven-dried at 50 C for 2 - 3 days, and ground into fine powder. For aqueous extract (AQE), 50 g of powder was boiled with 400 mL distilled water for 30 min. The mixture was filtered, centrifuged at 2,500 ×g for 10 min, and the supernatant was concentrated using a vacuum rotary evaporator.
Aqueous, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform were selected based on their differing polarities to extract a wide range of phytochemicals with varying solubility, allowing for comparative evaluation of phytochemical content and biological activity. The ethanol (ETE), ethyl acetate (EAE), and chloroform (CFE) extracts were prepared by separately extracting 50 g of powder with 95% ethanol, ethyl acetate, and chloroform using a Soxhlet apparatus. Each solvent extract was concentrated via vacuum evaporation, freeze-dried, and stored at 4 C until use. Extract yields were calculated accordingly.
Yield (%) = (extract weight / bulb dried powder weight)×100
Determination of alkaloids
Five grams of dried bulb powder were mixed with 200 mL of 10% acetic acid in ethanol and allowed to stand at room temperature for 4 h. The resulting mixture was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated using a water bath at 60 C until the volume decreased to 25 mL. Ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH) was then added dropwise to the concentrated extract until a precipitate formed. This precipitate was collected by filtration, dried, and weighed. The alkaloid content was subsequently determined and reported as a percentage.
Determination of tannins
The tannin content was determined using a modified method described by Palaniyappan et al. [22]. In brief, the extracts were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. A 0.5 mL aliquot of each extract solution was combined with 3.75 mL of distilled water, 0.25 mL of Folin-Ciocalteu reagent, and 0.5 mL of 35% sodium bicarbonate. The mixture was incubated at room temperature for 30 min, after which the absorbance was recorded at 725 nm. All measurements were performed in triplicate. Tannin content was quantified using a tannic acid standard curve and expressed as micrograms of tannic acid equivalent (TAE) per gram of extract.
Determination of flavonoids
Total flavonoid content was assessed using the aluminum chloride (AlCl3) colorimetric assay. In brief, extracts were dissolved in DMSO at a concentration of 5 mg/mL. A 50 µL aliquot of each extract solution was added to a 96-well plate, followed by 10 µL of 10% aluminum chloride, 150 µL of 95% ethanol, and 10 µL of 1 M sodium acetate. The mixture was incubated in the dark at room temperature for 40 min. Absorbance was measured at 415 nm using a microplate reader, with 95% ethanol as the blank. All assays were performed in triplicate. Flavonoid content was calculated using a quercetin standard curve and expressed as micrograms of quercetin equivalent (QE) per gram of extract.
Determination of phenolic compounds
A colorimetric method was used to determine the total phenolic content. Briefly, 2 mL of 2% Na2CO3 was added into 100 µL of a 2.5 µg/mL extract solution, and thoroughly mixed. After incubation at room temperature for 2 min, 100 µL of Folin-Ciocalteu chemical was added. The mixture was incubated in the dark at room temperature for 30 min, after which the absorbance was measured at 750 nm. All measurements were conducted in triplicate. Total phenolic content was determined using a gallic acid standard curve and expressed as milligrams of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of extract.
Determination of lycorine
The lycorine content was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) following a modified method by Ivanov et al. [23]. An Agilent 1260 Infinity II HPLC system was used for analysis. Chromatographic separation was achieved using a Poroshell 120EC-C18 column (150×4.6 mm2, 4 µm) in a reversed-phase configuration. A gradient elution was employed with solvent A (1% ammonium acetate, pH 6.6) and solvent B (acetonitrile). Detection was performed at 287 nm using a diode array detector with a 16 nm bandwidth. The injection volume was 20 µL. Details of the gradient profile and flow rate are provided in Table 1S.
Determination of antimicrobial activity
The disc diffusion method was used to determine the antimicrobial activity of the bulb extracts [24]. Six bacterial strains were cultured in MHB at 37 C, and 0.1 mL of each (10⁸ CFU/mL) was spread on MHA. All extracts were reconstituted in 1% DMSO to a concentration of 300 mg/mL and applied consistently at 20 µL/disc for antibacterial testing. Extracts (6 mg/disc) were applied to sterile discs, with tetracycline and 1% DMSO as controls. Plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h to measure inhibition zones. B. subtilis and B. cereus were further tested for bactericidal activity. Extracts (0.625 - 10.0 mg/mL) were added to cultures and incubated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined via turbidity measurement and colony observation on MHA. MIC was defined as the lowest concentration of the agent with no visible bacterial growth, whereas MBC was defined as the lowest concentration of agent required to kill the bacteria. Data were analyzed statistically using One-Way ANOVA with significance set at p < 0.05, and results were reported as mean ± standard deviation from triplicate experiments.
Characterization techniques
Bacillus subtilis cells were treated with ethanol extract (ETE), tetracycline (positive control), or left untreated, and incubated at 37 C for 24 h. For Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), cells were fixed with glutaraldehyde, post-fixed with osmium tetroxide, dehydrated through serial ethanol concentrations, and analyzed using a Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). For Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), cells were embedded in Spurr’s resin, ultrathin sections were prepared, and counterstained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate, followed by analysis using a Tecnai G2 20 transmission electron microscope at 120 kV. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was performed by preparing cell suspensions, depositing them onto BaF2 windows, and performing spectral analysis in the 4,000 - 900 cm⁻¹ range. Spectra were collected on a Bruker Tensor 24 FT-IR spectrometer and proceed using Optical User Software (OPUS) 7.5 (Germany). FT-IR data were baseline-corrected, normalized, and processed using 2nd-derivative filtering to enhance peak resolution. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then performed on selected spectral regions: 3,000 - 2,800 cm⁻1 (lipid CH stretching), 1,800 - 1,500 cm⁻¹ (amide I and II), 1,500 - 1,200 cm⁻¹ (nucleic acids and phosphates), and 1,200 - 900 cm⁻¹ (polysaccharides and ester lipids). These regions were chosen based on their relevance to bacterial biomolecular structures. PCA loading plots were used to identify wavenumbers contributing to variance and to associate spectral shifts with biochemical changes such as membrane disruption or protein degradation.
Results and discussion
The dried powder of C. wattii bulbs contained 2.42% alkaloids. The yield and phytochemical composition of C. wattii bulb extracts are shown in Table 1. Among them, the aqueous extract (AQE) exhibited the highest yield (48.56%) and tannin content (61.78 ± 0.02 µg TAE/g), likely due to the high solubility of polar compounds like tannins in water. This suggests that water is effective for extracting tannin-rich fractions, making AQE particularly relevant for pharmacological applications. Water’s low cost and environmentally further support its use in natural product research. The ethanolic extract (EAE) had the highest concentration of flavonoids (101.65 ± 4.68 µg QE/g), while the chloroform extract (CFE) and ethanol extract (ETE) had lower concentrations. In contrast, ETE contained the highest concentrations of total phenolic compounds (34.93 ± 1.32 mg GAE/g) and lycorine (47.93 mg/g) among all extracts. Lycorine content was quantified by HPLC, with chromatograms (Figure 1) confirming its presence in all extracts. The lycorine peak appeared at a retention time of 11.9 min in the standard (40 µg/mL), confirming lycorine as a key bioactive compound in these extracts. Therefore, lycorine can be used as a chemical marker for quality control of C. wattii bulb extracts.
The antibacterial activities of the extracts against B. cereus and B. subtilis are presented in Table 2. All extracts exhibited antibacterial activity, with the ETE showing the strongest inhibition zones. Additionally, the ETE inhibited the growth of all tested bacterial strains. Consequently, the ETE was selected for further investigation of its inhibitory and bactericidal effects against B. cereus and B. subtilis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the ETE are shown in Table 3. The ETE exhibited the same MIC value (1.25 mg/mL) for both B. cereus and B. subtilis, but its bactericidal effect was stronger against B. subtilis (MBC 1.25 mg/mL) than against B. cereus (MBC 5 mg/mL). Therefore, the ETE was chosen for studying its bactericidal mechanism using SEM and TEM.
Table 1 Phytochemical composition of C. wattii tuber extracts.
Extracts |
Yield (%) |
Tannins (g TAE/g) |
Flavonoids (g QE/g) |
Phenolics (mg GAE/g) |
Lycorine (mg/g) |
AQE |
48.56 |
61.78 0.02 |
0.82 0.04 |
24.54 0.31 |
16.37 |
ETE |
5.48 |
11.20 0.12 |
5.89 0.22 |
34.93 1.32 |
47.93 |
EAE |
0.65 |
1.69 0.14 |
101.65 4.68 |
27.19 1.65 |
3.10 |
CFE |
0.99 |
2.99 0.23 |
64.78 2.86 |
31.64 2.43 |
4.13 |
Figure 1 Standard curve of lycorine and its HPLC chromatogram from each extract. (A) Standard curve of lycorine. (B) HPLC chromatogram of standard lycorine. (C) HPLC chromatogram of lycorine from AQE. (D) HPLC chromatogram of lycorine from ETE. (E) HPLC chromatogram of lycorine from EAE. (F) HPLC chromatogram from CFE.
Table 2 Antibacterial activity of C. wattii tuber extracts.
Bacterial strains |
Inhibition diameter (mm) |
||||
AQE (6 mg/disc) |
ETE (6 mg/disc) |
EAE (6 mg/disc) |
CFE (6 mg/disc) |
Tetracycline (30 g/disc) |
|
B. cereus |
9.00 0.64 |
18.98 1.57 |
9.54 0.94 |
12.29 2.77 |
21.35 0.89 |
B. subtilis |
8.15 3.15 |
16.94 0.25 |
13.55 0.95 |
19.96 1.37 |
16.45 2.22 |
E. coli |
NA |
10.03 0.95 |
NA |
8.83 0.58 |
16.15 2.64 |
P. aeruginosa |
NA |
10.62 0.85 |
NA |
NA |
13.06 1.45 |
S. aureus |
NA |
8.46 1.14 |
NA |
9.11 2.07 |
19.28 0.62 |
S. epidermidis |
NA |
9.82 0.87 |
NA |
8.90 0.95 |
36.14 1.89 |
Note: NA = no detection
The bactericidal effect of ETE was further examined using SEM and TEM. Figure 2 shows SEM images of B. subtilis cells treated with 1.25 mg/mL ETE, which resulted in cell lysis (Figure 2(B)) compared with untreated cells (Figure 2(A)). The tetracycline-treated cells (Figure 2(C)) exhibited similar damage. In addition, the treated cells displayed filamentous shapes, indicating inhibition of cell division. TEM analysis (Figure 3) revealed damage to bacterial biomolecules and thinning of the cell walls in both ETE- and tetracycline-treated cells, suggesting cell wall degradation.
Table 3 Antibacterial activity of ETE against B. cereus and B. subtilis.
Bacterial trains |
Antibacterial activity |
|
MIC (mg/mL) |
MBC (mg/mL) |
|
B. cereus |
1.25 |
5.00 |
B. subtilis |
1.25 |
|
Figure 2 SEM images of treated B. subtilis cells. (A) Control or untreated cells. (B) ETE-treated cells. (C) Tetracycline-treated cells.
Figure 3 TEM images of treated B. subtilis cells. (A) Control or untreated cells. (B) ETE-treated cells. (C) Tetracycline-treated cells.
The
FT-IR
spectra from bacterial cell samples were appeared the peaks in the
range of 3,000
- 2,800
and
1,800
- 900
cm–1
which are the spectrum range of phospholipid (3,000
- 2,800
cm–1),
protein (1,700
- 1,500
cm–1)
and
polysaccharide (1,200
- 900
cm–1)
(Figure
4).
To
compare the difference of biomolecules in bacterial cells, the PCA
score plot was used to analyze the spectra in range of 3,000
- 2,800
and
1,800
- 900
cm–1
from each sample.
The
results showed that the difference between 3 clusters of data was
89%
and
the T cluster was different from P and C clusters (Figure
5).
The
T cluster was located separately in the negative score of PC1 while
the P and C clusters were in the positive score of PC1.
Based
on the comparison between the PCA score plot and loading plot
(Figure
6),
the peak corresponding to CH2
and CH3
groups of phospholipid (2,921
and 2,852 cm–1)
contributed
to 56%
of
the variance explained by loading PC1.
The
C cluster was separated from those P and T clusters at the peaks of
protein amide I (1,660
cm–1),
protein amide II (1,550
cm–1),
and protein amide III (1,235
cm–1).
While
the P cluster was separated from those C and T clusters at the peaks
of polysaccharide (1,153
and 1,027 cm–1).
Moreover,
nucleic acid (1,080
cm–1)
had
variable value of 36%
from
loading PC2 (Figure
5)
which
correlated with the average spectra from 2nd
derivative
results in Figure
7.
These
spectral shifts suggest that ETE induces structural alterations in
proteins, disrupts lipid membranes, and affects nucleic acid
integrity, supporting the antimicrobial effects observed.
Figure 4 Spectrum of infrared adsorption from treated B. subtilis cells. When sample C is control or untreated cells, sample P is positive control or tetracycline treated cells, and sample T is testing sample or ETE treated cells.
Figure 5 PCA score plot of spectrum from treated B. subtilis cells. When sample C is control or untreated cells, sample P is positive control or tetracycline treated cells, and sample T is testing sample or ETE treated cells.
The peak area of functional groups in bacterial cells was quantified (Figure 8 and Table 4). The phospholipid peak (3,000 - 2,800 cm⁻¹) was significantly higher in the ETE-treated cells compared to both the control and tetracycline-treated cells. In contrast, the control cells exhibited higher levels of ester lipids, protein amide I (1,700 - 1,600 cm⁻¹), protein amide II (1,600 - 1,500 cm⁻¹), and protein amide III (1,300 - 1,200 cm⁻¹), whereas the tetracycline-treated cells had higher polysaccharide and nucleic acid peak areas.
The various extracts of C. wattii bulbs exhibited different phytochemical contents. Among these, the ethanolic tuber extract (ETE) contained higher concentrations of total phenolic compounds and lycorine, which aligns with our previous findings of stronger antioxidant activity in ETE compared to other extracts. This enhanced antioxidant activity is likely due to the abundance of phenolics and lycorine, both known for their bioactivity. The ethanolic extract (ETE) showed the highest levels of total phenolic compounds and lycorine, a major pyrrolophenanthridine alkaloid from the Amaryllidaceae family known for its antibacterial activity. Phenolic compounds disrupt bacterial cell walls and membranes, increasing permeability and causing damage, while lycorine interferes with protein synthesis and induces oxidative stress. Together, these constituents likely act synergistically, enhancing ETE’s potent antimicrobial effects, especially against Bacillus species that are sensitive to cell wall disruption and metabolic interference. Although lycorine is probably the main contributor, the interaction with phenolics and other bioactive compounds may broaden and strengthen the antibacterial activity. Further studies using compound isolation and bioassay-guided fractionation are needed to clarify these synergistic effects. Previous research has highlighted lycorine’s antioxidant effects, which may contribute to its medicinal properties [25]. The HPLC analysis in this study confirmed that lycorine was one of the key alkaloid bioactive compounds in C. wattii bulbs, and it can potentially serve as a chemical marker for quality control of C. wattii extracts.
Figure 6 Loading plot of spectrum from treated B. subtilis cells.
Figure 7 Average spectrum from 2nd derivative of treated B. subtilis cells. When sample C is control or untreated cells, sample P is positive control or tetracycline treated cells, and sample T is testing sample or ETE treated cells.
Figure 8 Area under the peaks of functional groups from treated B. subtilis cells. When sample C is control or untreated cells, sample P is positive control or tetracycline treated cells, and sample T is testing sample or ETE treated cells. The a, b, and c are significant difference between samples C, P and T when p-value ≤ 0.05.
Table 4 Integral area indicating biomolecules of treated B. subtilis cells.
Functional groups |
Integral area |
||
C |
P |
T |
|
Phospholipid (3,000 - 2,800 cm–1) |
2.1378 0.0092b |
1.6410 0.0362a |
6.9435 0.0630c |
Ester lipid (1,740 cm–1) |
0.1784 0.0049b |
0.0989 0.0061a |
0.1061 0.0027a |
Protein amide I (1,700 - 1,600 cm–1) |
4.7901 0.0707c |
2.5926 0.1192b |
0.6421 0.0442a |
Protein amide II (1,600 - 1,500 cm–1) |
2.5467 0.0559b |
1.0724 0.0205a |
0.9945 0.1751a |
Protein amide III (1,300 - 1,200 cm–1) |
0.8958 0.1852c |
0.4620 0.0282b |
0.1507 0.0152a |
C O C, C O from polysaccharide (1,200-900 cm-1) |
2.5364 0.4135b |
6.3432 0.0089c |
0.7516 0.0576a |
P = O from nucleic acid (1,080 cm–1) |
0.4537 0.0852b |
1.8442 0.0417c |
0.3095 0.0369a |
Note: Sample C is control or untreated cells, sample P is positive control or tetracycline treated cells, and sample T is testing sample or ETE treated cells. The a, b, and c are significant difference between samples C, P, and T when p-value < 0.05.
Regarding antibacterial activity, the ETE exhibited stronger effects than the other extracts. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that the ETE induced a similar pattern of cell damage as tetracycline, a bactericidal antibiotic. The ETE caused damage to bacterial biomolecules, including those in the cytoplasm and cell wall. Tetracycline inhibits protein synthesis by preventing the binding of aminoacyl-tRNA to the ribosomal acceptor (A) site, which disrupts the synthesis of proteins, enzymes, DNA, and cell membrane components, leading to bacterial cell damage or lysis. Furthermore, the filamentous appearance of ETE-treated cells observed in SEM may suggest interference with cell division, possibly by targeting DNA or septal cell wall synthesis [26]. This observation was supported by TEM images showing a thinner cell wall and elongated shape, which could indicate abnormal cell division or compromised septum formation. These findings imply that that the ETE may disrupt bacterial cell functions in a manner similar to tetracycline. The filamentous morphology observed in ETE-treated bacteria suggests a possible stress response; however, further studies would be needed to confirm its role as a resistance mechanism.
The FT-IR spectra further corroborated these observations by revealing distinct biochemical changes in B. subtilis cells after treatment. Tetracycline treatment led to increased intensities in nucleic acid and polysaccharide bands, along with decreased signals in protein amide I, II, III, phospholipid, and ester-lipid regions. These changes reflect its known mechanism of action—inhibiting protein and DNA synthesis by binding to the ribosomal A site—which results in reduced protein expression and nucleic acid accumulation. The observed increase in polysaccharide bands may also indicate enhanced exopolysaccharide production, potentially as a protective biofilm barrier to limit antibiotic penetration [27,28]. In contrast, ETE treatment induced broader biochemical alterations. FT-IR peak area analysis showed significant shifts in lipid CH stretching, protein amide, and nucleic acid-associated regions, suggesting that ETE disrupts membrane integrity, denatures proteins, and damages nucleic acids. These findings highlight that ETE exerts antimicrobial effects through mechanisms distinct from those of tetracycline.
In contrast, the ETE treatment resulted in a notable increase in phospholipid spectral bands compared to the control. This finding is consistent with the SEM and TEM results, where ETE-treated cells exhibited a filamentous morphology. The TEM images also showed that the cell wall was thinner than that of untreated cells, which may be due to elongation during filamentation. Some cells appeared to lack visible septa or exhibited incomplete division planes, supporting the hypothesis that ETE disrupted normal cell division. This cell shape alteration likely led to an increase in phospholipid production, as phospholipids are precursors to plasma membrane formation. Changes in cell shape and size are known to be part of a drug resistance mechanism [29]. In the presence of antibiotics, increasing cell volume may dilute the antibiotic concentration within the cell, while a broader cell surface enhances nutrient uptake, promoting cell survival in nutrient-rich environments. In nutrient-poor environments, cells may adapt by transforming their shape to prevent antibiotic influx. Similar transformations to longer or filamentous shapes have been observed in B. subtilis following treatment with various antibiotics [30]. This shape change is an adaptive response that enhances survival under chemical or antibiotic stress. The type of antibiotic treatment can also influence the mechanism behind cell shape alterations [26]. Although the ETE demonstrated antibacterial activity, its efficacy was lower than tetracycline based on inhibition zone sizes and the extent of bacterial cell disruption. However, the ETE offers potential advantages such as a complex mixture of bioactive compounds that may reduce the likelihood of resistance development, as well as being a plant-based alternative that could be sustainably sourced. Potential disadvantages include variability in phytochemical content, lower potency compared to conventional antibiotics, and the need for further standardization and safety evaluation before therapeutic application. Long filamentous cells may arise from SOS responses that inhibit cell division due to DNA-targeting antibiotics [31-33]. Cell wall-targeting antibiotics, such as penicillin, prevent peptidoglycan and septal cell wall synthesis, leading to the formation of longer filamentous cells [34].
The FT-IR spectra of ETE-treated cells revealed decreases in protein amide I, II, III, polysaccharide, nucleic acid, and ester-lipid bands compared to the control, suggesting that ETE may inhibit the synthesis of proteins, cell walls, and DNA. The changes in cell shape to a filamentous form likely represent a defense mechanism to dilute the extract’s concentration inside the cells and increase nutrient uptake. However, while FT-IR spectra and electron microscopy provided indirect evidence of disruption to bacterial proteins, nucleic acids, and cell wall components, this study did not include direct molecular assays to identify specific targets such as DNA replication enzymes or structural proteins. Further molecular studies, including transcriptomic or proteomic analyses, are needed to confirm these hypotheses and elucidate the precise antibacterial mode of action of the ETE.
Conclusions
The C. wattii extract in this study contained flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and the lycorine alkaloid. These extracts exhibited antibacterial activity, with the ethanolic extract showing the most pronounced effects. Based on these findings, the ethanolic extract was selected for further investigation of its bactericidal activity against B. subtilis. The proposed mechanism of action suggests that the ethanolic extract kills bacterial cells by interfering with the synthesis of proteins, cell walls, and DNA. In response, the bacterial cells appear to protect themselves by elongating their shape, which helps dilute the extract concentration and increase nutrient uptake.
Although
lycorine was quantified, its stereoisomeric composition was not
determined, and future work will include chiral analyses to identify
and quantify specific isomers contributing to the observed activity.
Future
studies will focus on investigating the molecular mechanisms behind
the antibacterial activity of C.
wattii
extract and lycorine to further elucidate their mode of action.
Future
investigations will include antibiotic-resistant
and additional Gram-negative
bacterial strains to comprehensively evaluate the antibacterial
potential of C.
wattii
extracts.
These
findings support the potential of C.
wattii
extract as a natural source for antibacterial agent development,
encouraging further research on formulation, safety, and therapeutic
applications.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Dr. Chakkrapong Rattamanee for plant identification. This research was funded by Burapha University and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) (Grant No. 53/2565).
Declaration of Generative AI in Scientific Writing
The authors used a generative AI tool (ChatGPT, OpenAI) solely for English grammar and language improvement. The scientific content, data interpretation, and conclusions were entirely developed by the authors.
CRediT Author Statement
Sirilak Kamonwannasit: Methodology, Data curation, Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.
Bung-on Prajanban: Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.
Orrasa Prasitnok: Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.
Piaw Phatai: Formal analysis, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.
Agarat Kamcharoen: Conceptualization, Supervision, Writing- Reviewing and Editing, Project administration.
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Supplementary Material
Table 1S Gradient elution system employed for HPLC analysis of lycorine.
Time (min) |
Solvent A (%) |
Solvent B (%) |
Flow rate (mL/min) |
0 |
90 |
10 |
0.4 |
11 |
69 |
31 |
0.3 |
15 |
30 |
70 |
0.5 |
16 |
10 |
90 |
0.5 |
18 |
10 |
90 |
0.5 |
19 |
90 |
10 |
0.5 |
25 |
90 |
10 |
0.5 |