LC-QTOF-MS metabolic profiling and anti-MRSA activity of Asparagus officinalis L. spear methanolic extract in a skin infection mouse model

Abstract

Asparagus officinalis L. spears offer substantial potential as a functional food due to their rich nutritional profile and bioactive compounds. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, particularly in low- and medium-income countries, have necessitated extensive research and concerted efforts to combat infections. Novel One Health approaches are being sought to swiftly identify antibiotics that retain efficacy against these MDR pathogens. In this study, we evaluated the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of A. officinalis L. spears against Staphylococcus aureus USA300 (MARSA USA300); a MDR bacterium in vitro and in vivo. The methanolic extract demonstrated significant in vitro inhibition of the biofilm formation (IC50 value of 3.415 mg mL−1) and enhanced biofilm detachment (EC50 value of 1.573 mg mL−1) against MRSA. Additionally, topical treatment of MRSA USA300-infected BALB/C mice open lesion with the extract (50 mg mL−1 in 25% DMSO, once for three days) significantly reduced the bacterial count by 2.877 and 2.583 logs lower than that of the negative control). LC-QTOF/MS tentatively identified 99 compounds in the methanolic extract of A. officinalis spears. The findings obtained here demonstrate the potential of A. officinalis L. spears for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and food industry applications.