Carvacrol alters the membrane phospholipids in erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes

• Published in: Phytomedicine Plus : International journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 2024-08, Vol.4 (3), p.100614, Article 100614
• Main Authors: Wijesundara, Niluni M., Lee, Song F., Langelaan, David N., Lefsay, Abir, Rupasinghe, H.P. Vasantha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anisotropy; Carvacrol; Cell membrane isolate; Fluidity; Phospholipids; Streptococcus pyogenes
• ISSN: 2667-0313; 2667-0313
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phyplu.2024.100614

•Carvacrol kills erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes by disrupting membrane integrity.•A methodology is developed for the cell membrane isolates preparation.•Carvacrol changes cell membrane phospholipid and fatty acid composition as measured by UHPLC-MS/MS.•As a mechanism of action, carvacrol increases the membrane fluidity. Phospholipids are significant constituents of bacterial membranes. Bacteria can alter their cytoplasmic membrane fatty acid composition in response to changing environmental stress conditions. Carvacrol, a mono-terpenoid phenol, has excellent antibacterial properties against Streptococcus pyogenes. This study examined modifications of the membrane phospholipid composition in the presence of sublethal carvacrol concentrations using erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes. The cell membrane isolates (CMIs) were prepared from S. pyogenes strain Spy 1558, erm. The ultrastructural morphology was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Carvacrol-treated CMIs were analyzed for fluidity changes using fluorescence-anisotropy. Changes in membrane lipid composition were assessed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Fluidity of the bacterial membrane increased time-dependently when exposed to carvacrol. The CMI isolated from cells treated with carvacrol showed a change in cardiolipins (CL), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) percentages compared to the untreated control. Carvacrol induces modulation of specific membrane phospholipid and fatty acid composition of S. pyogenes. Further investigations are necessary to understand how fatty acid and phospholipid biosynthesis can be influenced by carvacrol. [Display omitted]