Antibacterial and antifungal potential of Haplopappus species in Chile

Resumen

Introduction: Plant extracts have traditionally been used to treat different conditions, and the genus Haplopappus stands out among those to which antimicrobial properties are attributed. Haplopappus sp. infusions are used to treat abdominal pain, urinary tract diseases, and clean wounds and skin ulcers. Considering that infection prevention is a critical aspect of wound care and the urgent need for novel antimicrobial agents, in this review, we aimed to analyze the antimicrobial properties of extracts from plants of the genus Haplopappus in Chile. Material and methods: Twelve articles were selected in this review that described the analysis of the antibacterial and antifungal activity of 15 Haplopappus species studied using different types of extracts, such as infusions and exudates. Results: The extracts were studied in 30 bacterial species, highlighting their antimicrobial effect on gram-positive bacteria, led by Staphylococcus aureus. The most potent activities were found in Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis for the resinous exudates of H. litoralis and H. chrysanthemifolius. The effect of the extracts against fungal species was also studied, but to a lesser extent, with inhibitory activity reported against Acremonium falciforme and Fusarium oxysporum. Conclusion: The antimicrobial effect of Haplopappus species extracts requires more standardized studies to strengthen the current evidence and to explore new anti-infective properties, as well as to specifically assess the inhibitory activity of isolated compounds, particularly clerodanes.