Antimicrobial Activity of Bark from Four North American Tree Species

• Published in: Wilderness & environmental medicine 2024-12, Vol.35 (4), p.439-442
• Main Authors: Mickles, Alayna J., Chou, Caroline, Deleger, Julie N., Swords, Elizabeth F., Schlarman, Maggie S., Braude, Stan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pinus - chemistry; Plant Bark - chemistry; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Quercus - chemistry; Salix - chemistry; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects
• ISSN: 1080-6032; 1545-1534; 1545-1534
• DOI: 10.1177/10806032241263862

Introduction Although many backcountry first aid kits contain antibiotic ointment, the supply can be quickly exhausted if a patient has extensive wounds or if there are multiple patients. Methods We assessed the antibacterial properties of bark extract from four North American woody plant species known to native Missourians as medicinal plants (Quercus macrocarpa, Salix humilis, Pinus echinata, and Hamamelis vernalis). We tested their antimicrobial properties, with the disc diffusion technique, against four common pathogenic bacterial species: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterobacter aerogenes (now known as Klebsiella aerogenes). Results We report evidence of antibacterial activity of bark extract from all four plant species. Conclusions Our results confirm that traditional uses of these species may be useful in fighting infection and could be especially useful in a wilderness setting when modern antibiotics are exhausted.