Products Cited in Publications Worldwide Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Leaf Extracts Exhibit Antibacterial Activity and Inhibit Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV)

Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata) Leaf Extracts Exhibit Antibacterial Activity and Inhibit Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV)

Nenadovich, Milica; Kubal, Molly; Hopp, Maci R; Crawford, Abigail D; Hardewig, Megan E; Sedlock, Madison G; Jawad, Rida; Khan, Zarrar A; Smith, Adrianna M; Mroueh, Mia A

DOI:

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and the limited availability of therapeutics for pathogens such as human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) underscore the need for novel, plant-derived antimicrobial substances. In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative, , and activities of aqueous leaf extracts from two plants commonly found in North America, Osage orange (M. pomifera) and spearmint (M. spicata). Both extracts exhibited no significant cytotoxic or morphologic impact on HEp-2 human cancer cells up to 25 mg/mL. However, both extracts demonstrated strong dose-dependent activity, significantly inhibiting replication of E. coli and S. aureus at concentrations ≥ 1 mg/mL. assays revealed that both extracts inhibited hRSV infectivity, with spearmint extract showing higher potency (EC50 = 1.01 mg/mL) compared to Osage orange (EC50 = 3.85 mg/mL). Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) identified three major extract constituents: 3-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, (Osage orange), and R-(-)-carvone (spearmint). Among these, only significantly inhibited hRSV in vitro, suggesting its key role in spearmint’s activity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of Osage orange and spearmint leaf extracts, particularly as sources of water-soluble compounds with antimicrobial properties, and support further investigation into their mechanisms of action and broader clinical relevance.

Keywords

; cancer ; phytochemistry ; respiratory syncytial virus ; antibacterial

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(-)-Carvone

A3200716485-40-195%

(-)-Carvone

205.0/1kg

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4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol

A337115623-05-298%

4-Hydroxybenzyl alcohol

26.0/100g

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KSD 2405

A673062620-24-697%

KSD 2405

10.0/1g

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