Netzahualcoyonol from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. (Celastraceae) roots as a bioactive compound against gram-positive pathogens

The expression of virulence factors, such as biofilm formation, in association with the acquisition of resistance to multiple drugs, has evidenced the need for new and effective antimicrobial agents against Staphylococcus aureus. The evaluation of the pharmacological properties of plant-derived compounds is a promising alternative to the development of new antimicrobials. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and the synergistic and cytotoxic effects of netzahualcoyonol isolated from Salacia multiflora (Lam.) DC. roots. Netzahualcoyonol presented bacteriostatic (1.56–25.0 µg/mL) and bactericidal (25.0–400.0 µg/mL) effects against Gram-positive bacteria, disrupted the biofilm of S. aureus, and presented a synergistic effect after its combination with β-lactams and aminoglycosides. The low cytotoxicity of netzahualcoyonol (Selectivity Index (SI) for S. aureus (2.56), S. saprophyticus (20.56), and Bacillus subtilis (1.28)) suggests a good security profile. Taken together, these results show that netzahualcoyonol is promising for the development of a new effective antibacterial agent.