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Pathogens
Special Issues
Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials
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Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials

A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2026 | Viewed by 5385

Editors

Prof. Dr. Tomasz M. Karpiński

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chair and Department of Medical Microbiology, Poznań University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 10, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
Interests: human microbiota; antiseptics; natural antimicrobials; anti-biofilm activity; medicinal plants; bee products
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Marcin Ożarowski

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Natural Fibres and Medicinal Plants—National Research Institute, Wojska Polskiego 71b, 60-630 Poznań, Poland
Interests: medicinal plants; phytochemistry; natural compounds; phytomedicine; biotechnology; pharmacological activity; antioxidants; agrobiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue will focus on the exploration and utilization of natural compounds with antimicrobial properties to combat a broad spectrum of pathogens, including multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungi and emerging microbial threats. We aim to present groundbreaking research on the efficacy, mechanisms, and application of plant-derived, bee, microbial and marine products and other bioactive natural compounds as alternatives or supplements to traditional antibiotics. The articles in this Special Issue will cover innovative strategies for harnessing natural antimicrobials in various forms, such as essential oils, phytochemicals, peptides, bee products, and enzymatic agents. This Special Issue will bring together interdisciplinary perspectives on how natural antimicrobials can serve as sustainable, safe, and effective tools in the global fight against infection.

Prof. Dr. Tomasz M. Karpiński
Prof. Dr. Marcin Ożarowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pathogens is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • in vitro testing
  • in silico testing
  • antimicrobial activities
  • drug resistance
  • natural products
  • plant extracts
  • essential oils
  • bee products
  • natural antibiotics
  • anti-biofilm activity

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 1376 KB  
Article
In Vitro Evaluation of the Antifungal Activity and Cytotoxicity of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana Extract Against Candida albicans and HaCaT Cells
by Hyo-Ju Yoon, Gyoo-Cheon Kim and Seoul-Hee Nam
Pathogens 2026, 15(6), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15060635 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Background: Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans), highlighting the need to evaluate candidate substances that ensure both antifungal efficacy and mucosal safety. This study aimed to assess the potential of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana (S. [...] Read more.
Background: Oral candidiasis is an opportunistic infection caused by Candida albicans (C. albicans), highlighting the need to evaluate candidate substances that ensure both antifungal efficacy and mucosal safety. This study aimed to assess the potential of Sambucus williamsii var. coreana (S. williamsii var. coreana) extract as a naturally derived antifungal agent for topical oral application by investigating its antifungal activity against C. albicans and its cytotoxicity in human keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells. Methods: S. williamsii var. coreana was extracted with 70% ethanol, concentrated, and freeze-dried. The extract was prepared at concentrations of 1–40 mg/mL and applied under 6 h and 24 h exposure conditions. Antifungal activity against cultured C. albicans was evaluated using colony-forming unit (CFU) analysis, while cytotoxicity in HaCaT cells was assessed via the Water-soluble Tetrazolium Salt-1 assay after incubation at 37 °C in 5% CO2 for 2 h. Statistical significance was analyzed using Student’s t-test, ANOVA, and Tukey’s HSD test (p < 0.05). Results: The S. williamsii var. coreana extract exhibited concentration- and time-dependent antifungal activity. A 99.99% inhibition of C. albicans was observed at 5 mg/mL. No detectable CFUs were observed at 30 mg/mL after 6 h and at 10 mg/mL after 24 h. HaCaT cell viability decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration determined to be 10 mg/mL. Conclusions: The extract of S. williamsii var. coreana exhibited concentration- and time-dependent in vitro antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, the concentration associated with no detectable CFUs overlapped with the cytotoxic concentration range in HaCaT cells, indicating that further studies are required to define an appropriate concentration range for potential oral application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials)
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14 pages, 24898 KB  
Article
Antifungal Effects of Citrus maxima Cultivar Tubtim-Siam Peel Extract Against Malassezia pachydermatis Isolated from Dogs
by Watcharapong Mitsuwan, Juthatip Jeenkeawpieam, Ratchadaporn Boripun, Noppharat Tanthanathipchai, Ozioma Forstinus Nwabor and Phirabhat Saengsawang
Pathogens 2026, 15(5), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15050479 - 29 Apr 2026
Viewed by 577
Abstract
Otitis externa in dogs is primarily caused by Malassezia pachydermatis. Treatment involves antifungal and antiseptic agents; however, resistance among causative organisms has been noted. Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity. Its extract mainly includes [...] Read more.
Otitis externa in dogs is primarily caused by Malassezia pachydermatis. Treatment involves antifungal and antiseptic agents; however, resistance among causative organisms has been noted. Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity. Its extract mainly includes essential oils, which are mostly applied for alternative treatment for M. pachydermatis. The study aimed to investigate the anti-M. pachydermatis effects of pomelo peel extracts and their potential use in topical solutions for canine infections. M. pachydermatis was isolated from dogs and confirmed with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). Antifungal susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to itraconazole was evaluated. Phytochemicals of essential oil and crude extract from C. maxima peel were determined using Gas Chromatograph–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). In addition, the antifungal activity of the extracts was assessed using an agar plate dilution assay. The essential oil was formulated into a prototypic topical solution, and its effects on M. pachydermatis were observed in vitro. The prevalence of M. pachydermatis was 42%, with 53% having yeast on both ear sides. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of itraconazole, essential oil, and crude extract to M. pachydermatis were 0.03–0.25 µg/mL, 1.0% v/v, and >200 mg/mL, respectively. The prominent phytochemicals in peel extracts were meranzin hydrate and D-limonene, identified in the crude extract and essential oil, respectively. Moreover, a topical solution containing essential oils inhibited M. pachydermatis growth and showed destructive effects on the yeast cell wall at higher concentrations. The essential oil exhibits antifungal activity against M. pachydermatis, primarily due to the high concentration of D-limonene. The growth was inhibited completely at MIC, observed over a 5-day period. Furthermore, the prototypic topical solution demonstrated an anti-M. pachydermatis effect. These findings suggest potential veterinary applications for pomelo peel extract, though further studies are necessary to assess stability, mechanism of action, and industrial suitability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials)
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15 pages, 663 KB  
Article
Nisin or Chitosan Enhance the Antimicrobial Activity of Ceftiofur Against Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Have Antibiofilm Effects
by Mónica G. Sánchez-Ceja, Jaime L. Esquivel-Alejo, Ricardo I. Medina-Estrada, Rafael Jiménez-Mejía, Gustavo Santoyo, Joel E. López-Meza and Pedro D. Loeza-Lara
Pathogens 2025, 14(12), 1217; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14121217 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 1324
Abstract
Mastitis is one of the major diseases affecting dairy cattle worldwide. Antibiotic therapy remains the most widely used treatment. However, its effectiveness has been compromised due to the selection of antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-producing pathogenic bacteria. This promotes the search for alternatives that increase [...] Read more.
Mastitis is one of the major diseases affecting dairy cattle worldwide. Antibiotic therapy remains the most widely used treatment. However, its effectiveness has been compromised due to the selection of antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-producing pathogenic bacteria. This promotes the search for alternatives that increase the antibacterial and antibiofilm efficacy of antibiotics such ceftiofur (CFT). Nisin (N) and chitosan (CH) may possess these properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether N + CFT and CH + CFT combinations enhance the antibacterial activity of the antibiotic on Staphylococcus aureus associated with bovine mastitis, as well as its antibiofilm effect. Two clinical isolates of S. aureus (AMC-43 and AMC-48) and the reference strain ATCC 27543 resistant to CFT were used. Through the microdilution method in 96-well microplates, the combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of N (320 µg/mL) and CH (400 µg/mL) with CFT (1, 2, 4, and 8 µg/mL) significantly reduced bacterial growth; however, the CH + CFT mixtures were the most efficient. The crystal violet staining method and live cell plating showed antibiofilm activity in biofilm synthesis and in the reduction in living bacterial cells located inside this preformed structure. These results highlight N and CH as potential agents for the prevention or control of bovine mastitis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials)
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19 pages, 26559 KB  
Article
Effects of the Tobacco Defensin NaD1 Against Susceptible and Resistant Strains of Candida albicans
by Olga V. Shevchenko, Alexander D. Voropaev, Ivan V. Bogdanov, Tatiana V. Ovchinnikova and Ekaterina I. Finkina
Pathogens 2024, 13(12), 1092; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13121092 - 10 Dec 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2221
Abstract
Today, Candida albicans is still the most common cause of both local and life-threatening systemic candidiasis. The spread of resistant fungal strains has resulted in an urgent need to search for new promising antimycotics. Here, we investigated the antifungal action of the tobacco [...] Read more.
Today, Candida albicans is still the most common cause of both local and life-threatening systemic candidiasis. The spread of resistant fungal strains has resulted in an urgent need to search for new promising antimycotics. Here, we investigated the antifungal action of the tobacco defensin NaD1 against susceptible and resistant to azoles and echinocandins strains of C. albicans. We demonstrated that NaD1 was equally effective and fungicidal against all tested strains. The MIC and MFC values were 6.25 and 12.5 µM, respectively. We showed for the first time that NaD1 could act synergistically not only with caspofungin but also with human host defense antimicrobial peptides cathelicidin LL-37 and β-defensin-2 (HBD2) against susceptible and resistant fungal strains. Using flow cytometry, we demonstrated that NaD1 in combinations with LL-37 or HBD2 can reinforce each other by enhancing membrane disruption. Using the Caco-2 cell monolayer model, we demonstrated that NaD1 impaired the adhesion of C. albicans cells to the human epithelium. Moreover, NaD1 inhibited the formation of fungal biofilms in Sabouraud broth and less markedly in nutrient-rich RPMI-1640 medium, and enhanced the antibiofilm activity of caspofungin. Thus, we hypothesized that NaD1 might affect the development of candidiasis in vivo, including that caused by resistant fungal strains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fighting Pathogens with Natural Antimicrobials)
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