Influence of antimicrobial substances of plant origin on the sensitivity of bacterial biofilm to antimicrobial drugs

The widespread antibiotic resistance is associated with the formation of special forms of microbial communities — bacterial biofilms with increased resistance to the impact of various physicochemical factors, including antimicrobial drugs. In this regard, the investigation of antibacterial agents, including herbal preparations that could affect bacterial biofilms, seems to be of current interest. The aim of this work was to identify antibacterial substances of plant origin that can most effectively affect bacterial biofilms. The effect of antibacterial decoctions of lingonberry, sage, and chamomile plants on the sensitivity of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs was assessed. The susceptibility of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs, when combined with herbal decoctions, was determined by the disk-diffusion method. The morphophysiological properties of biofilms were illustrated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The ability of lingonberry, sage, and chamomile decoctions to increase the sensitivity of bacteria to antimicrobial drugs of predominantly bactericidal pharmacological action was revealed. Decoctions of medicinal plants prevented the formation of complete bacterial biofilms. The obtained results indicate the antibiofilm activity of lingonberry, chamomile and sage decoctions, which contribute to a decrease in the level of antibiotic resistance of bacteria and a decrease in the load during antimicrobial therap.