Disruption of bacterial redox homeostasis by Tanacetum argyrophyllum essential oil in antibiotic-sensitive and resistant Escherichia coli

Abstract

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria highlights the need for novel natural antimicrobial agents. This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition, antimicrobial activity, and redox-modulatory effects of Tanacetum argyrophyllum essential oil (EO) against Escherichia coli wild-type (E. coli K12) and kanamycin-resistant (E. coli pARG-25) strains. EO extraction yielded 0.1% (v/w), with eucalyptol (35%), camphor (24%), and camphene (17%) as major constituents, thus defining a eucalyptol–camphor chemotype. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were 100 µL/mL for both strains. Biophysical analyses revealed that EO exposure delayed the decline in the extracellular oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) and altered the pH dynamics, thus reflecting interference with bacterial kinetics, metabolic activity, and organic acid production. Biochemical assays indicated strain-specific oxidative stress responses: malondialdehyde formation increased by ~50% in the resistant strain, accompanied by substantial upregulation of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, whereas the wild-type strain showed moderate changes. These data suggest that T. argyrophyllum EO disrupts bacterial redox homeostasis, likely via the modulation of antioxidant defenses, thus resulting in reduced viability and enhanced oxidative stress in resistant cells. The findings provide some influence modes into EO-mediated bacteriostatic effects and support its potential as a natural agent that targets kanamycin-resistant bacteria through redox-dependent pathways.

Keywords

Armenian flora / prooxidant activity / SOD / catalase / ORP / redox status

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