Antibacterial Activity of Dactylicapnos scandens Extract against Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced Pneumonia in Mice: An In vitro and In vivo Study

Abstract

This study analyzed the antibacterial potential of Dactylicapnos scandens extract (DSE) against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP)-induced pneumonia in mice. The DSE was tested for in-vitro antibacterial activity against MP and pharmacological activity in MP-induced pneumonia in mice. DSE showed significant in-vitro antibacterial activity against MP. It improved the level of nitric oxide, and myeloperoxidase, including the lung weight index near to control in a dose-dependent manner in experimental animals. The levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase were found significantly increased in DSE treated rats with a reduction in malondialdehyde activity as compared to pneumonia-induced mice in a dose dependent manner. The level of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-6, Interleukin-1 beta, and tumour necrosis factor alpha, and total cells and DNA content were also found reduced in DSE treated group as compared to disease control mice. This study demonstrated potent antibacterial activity of Dactylicapnos scandens extract against Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection.