Antibacterial activity of active compounds from binahong (Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) Steenis) and their combination with amoxicillin

The use of antibiotics played an important role in the infectious diseases therapy. However, uncontrolled long-term use or improper use of antibiotic led to bacterial resistance. Therapeutic options for this case were extremely limited, as well the prospect for next generation antibacterial drug development. Chemical compounds from plant that had antibacterial activity became an alternative and a starting point of new antibacterial inventions.

Ethanol leaves extract of madeira vine [Anredera cordifolia (Ten.) v. Steenis] was proven to inhibit the growth of some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria such as Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Methicillin-Resistant Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus, and Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Chemical compounds such as tannin, saponin, alkaloid, triterpenoid, and flavonoid found in madeira vine leaves were proven to have antibacterial activity. Moreover, safety study of ethanolic leaves extract of madeira vine by acute and subchronic study revealed that madeira vine leaves extract showed no toxicity and abnormality in rats.

One way to find active compounds from plants is by using bioassay-guided fractionation method. By knowing the activity of a chemical compound group which was contained in the fraction, a compound isolation could be conducted to obtain a single active compound. Research on the active fraction of madeira vine leaves which was responsible for antibacterial activity were not reported. However, several studies of alleged compounds found in madeira vine leaves such as ursolic acid and oleanolic acid had antibacterial activity.

The use of antibiotics combination which was given simultaneously had become a therapeutic strategy. Clinical administration of antibacterial combination based on in vitro test result which gave a synergistic effect in preventing the growth of pathogen bacteria. Amoxicillin was antibiotic commonly prescribed to treat the infection and its combination with several plants extract or chemical compounds showed a synergistic effect.

This study aimed to examine the effect of active compound from madeira vine leaves towards amoxicillin activities based on scanning electron microscope (SEM).