Star anise volatile oil's dual role: Investigating its antioxidant and DNA-cleaving actions against Staphylococcus aureus

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Pharmacognosy and medicinal plants, Pharmacy College, University of Basrah, Iraq.

2 Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Pharmacy College, University of Basrah, Iraq.

Abstract

Objective
The growing threat of antibiotic resistance, exclusively in Staphylococcus aureus, necessitates the expansion of novel therapeutic attitudes. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the dual functional potential of star anise (Illicium verum) volatile oil in aspect of its antioxidant effects and a DNA-cleaving effect. Researches have shown that star anise has been traditionally applied as a culinary spice and in folk medicine for treating coughs and alleviating pain. But, the exact mechanism of the antibacterial activity of the essential oil is still unknown.
Materials and methods
For performing the analytical and biological assays, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), total antioxidant capacity, DPPH radical scavenging assay, FRAP assay, and DNA cleavage assay were used. Bacterial isolates were derived from diabetic foot ulcers, recognized, and genetically describedescribed applying 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and then mutation analysis was used. The SwissADME software was used to analyze physicochemical attributes, containing molecular weight, LogP, hydrogen bond donors and acceptors, and topological polar surface area (TPSA).
Results
GC-MS analysis disclosed a compound chemical composition dominated by anethole, with substantial amounts of estragole, limonene, and anisaldehyde. The DPPH assay revealed effective radical-scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ of 7.2% (v/v), in comparison to 3.5% (v/v) for vitamin E. The FRAP analysisdemonstrated its dose-dependent antioxidant activity. We identified a novel bacterial isolate named novel S. aureus strain and then registered it in the GenBank with the accession number PX068377.1. The absence of a DNA band in electrophoresis subsequent the DNA cleavage assay illustrated meaningful genomic degradation. This could be due to the strong genotoxic effects of the reaction due to the low molecular weight and high hydrophobicity of the volatile oil components, which facilitate their rapid penetration into the membrane and subsequent destruction of the damaged nucleic acid.
Conclusion
Due to the strong antioxidant and genotoxic properties of star anise essential oil demonstrated in this study, it can be introduced as a potential natural and indigenous antimicrobial agent, especially specifically against antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Keywords

References

Abers, M., Schroeder, S., Goelz, L., Sulser, A., St. Rose, T., Puchalski, K., & Langland, J. (2021). Antimicrobial activity of the volatile substances from essential oils. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies, 21(1), Article 124. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03285-3
Alam, M. N., Bristi, N. J., & Rafiquzzaman, M. (2013). Review on in vivo and in vitro methods evaluation of antioxidant activity. Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 21(2), 143–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsps.2012.05.002
Aziz, Z. A. A., Ahmad, A., Setapar, S. H. M., Karakucuk, A., Azim, M. M., Lokhat, D., Rafatullah, M., Ganash, M., Kamal, M. A., & Ashraf, G. M. (2018). Essential oils: Extraction techniques, pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential—A review. Current Drug Metabolism, 19(13), 1100–1110. https://doi.org/10.2174/1389200219666180723144850
Bady, E. A., Sabaa, A. M., Al-Fadal, R. A., Abdul-Jabar, & Al-Rubeai, D. B. (2021). Identification of novel bacteria by using 16S rRNA from clinical and soil samples. Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 15(2), 4252–4259. https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v15i2.15038
Chouhan, S., Singh, K., & Gautam, S. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of some essential oils—Present status and future perspectives. Medicines, 4(3), Article 58. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines4030058
Dong, Z. Y., Manik, P. N., Rao, M. X., Hong, F. W., Wael, N. H., Wei, C., & Li, W. J. (2017). Antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles against Staphylococcus warneri synthesized using endophytic bacteria by photo-irradiation. Frontiers in Microbiology, 8, Article 1090. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2017.01090
Dunyach-Rémy, C., Nse, C., Sotto, A., & Lavigne, J.-P. (2016). Staphylococcus aureus toxins and diabetic foot ulcers: Role in pathogenesis and interest in diagnosis. Toxins, 8(7), Article 209. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins8070209
Fagbemi, K. U., Adeyemi, D. A., & Oladipo, O. O. (2021). Soxhlet extraction versus hydrodistillation using the Clevenger apparatus: A comparative study on the extraction of a volatile compound from Tamarindus indica seeds. The Scientific World Journal, 2021, Article 5961586. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/5961586
Felsenstein, J. (2003). Inferring phylogenies (2nd ed.). Sinauer Associates.
Heravi, F. S., Zakrzhevska, M., Vickery, K., Graves, D. A., & Hu, H. (2019). Bacterial diversity of diabetic foot ulcers: Current status and future prospectives. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(11), Article 1935. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm8111935
Jafri, L., Saleem, S., Ihsan-ul-Haq, N. U., & Mirza, B. (2017). In vitro assessment of antioxidant potential and determination of polyphenolic compounds of Hedera nepalensis K. Koch. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 10, S3699–S3706. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2014.05.002
Janda, J. M., & Abbott, S. L. (2007). 16S rRNA gene sequencing for bacterial identification in the diagnostic laboratory: Pluses, perils, and pitfalls. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 45(9), 2761–2764. https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.01228-07
Khwaza, V., & Oyedeji, B. A. (2025). Antibacterial activity of selected essential oil components and their derivatives: A review. Antibiotics, 14(1), Article 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14010068
Moghaddam, H. H., Jalil, A. A., Shokouh, F., & Jafari, S. K. (2023). Influence of climatic factors on essential oil content and composition of 20 populations of Nepeta binaludensis Jamzad from Iran. Applied Biological Chemistry, 66, Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13765-022-00750-6
Mohamed, A. A., & Alotaibi, B. M. (2023). Essential oils of some medicinal plants and their biological activities: A mini review. Journal of Umm Al-Qura University for Applied Sciences, 9(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43994-022-00018-1
Noumi, E., Ahmad, I., Patel, H., Mkandawire, A., Bouali, N., Hfaiedh, N., Boughalleb, N., Alabbosh, K. F. A. K., Ciofalo, L., Passantino, F., Snoussi, M., & De Feo, V. (2023). Illicium verum L. (star anise) essential oil: GC/MS profile, molecular docking study, in silico ADME profiling, quorum sensing, and biofilm-inhibiting effect on foodborne bacteria. Molecules, 28(23), Article 7691. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28237691
Pavithra, K., Vadivukkarasi, S., & Jayakumar, V. (2015). Evaluation of free radical scavenging activity of various extracts of leaves from Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn. Food Science and Human Wellness, 4(1), 42–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fshw.2015.02.001
Photolo, M. M., Mavumengwana, V., Sisimayi, L., & Tlou, M. G. (2020). Antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of a bacterial endophyte, Methylobacterium radiotolerans MAMP 4754, isolated from Combretum erythrophyllum seeds. International Journal of Microbiology, 2020, Article 9483670. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/9483670
Raposo, A., Delgado, R., Zappia, R., Singh, N., Adeola, O., Rodriguez-Bernaldo de Quirós, B., Chaves, C., Sharifi-Rad, J., Bang, H. R., Han, H., & Callegari, D. (2024). Anethole in cancer therapy: Mechanisms, synergistic potential, and clinical challenges. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 180, Article 117449. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2024.117449
Sakkas, H., & Papadopoulou, C. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of basil, oregano, and thyme essential oils. Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 27(3), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.4014/jmb.1608.08024
Salar, R. K., Singhal, P., & Pandey, S. S. (2015). In vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities of stem extract of Euphorbia trigona Miller. TANG [Humanitas Medicine], 5(2), e14. https://doi.org/10.5667/tang.2015.0004
Shaaban, H. A. E., El-Ghorab, A. H., & Shibamoto, T. (2012). Bioactivity of essential oils and their volatile aroma components: Review. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 24(2), 203–212. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2012.659528
Shahat, A. A., Ibrahim, A. Y., Hendawy, S. F., Omer, E. A., Hammouda, F. M., Abdel-Rahman, F. H., & Saleh, M. A. (2011). Chemical composition, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of essential oils from organically cultivated fennel cultivars. Molecules, 16(2), 1366–1377. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules16021366
Sharafan, M., Jakubczyk, K., Zięba, E., Kiersnowska, P., Krupa, R., Baraniak, E., & Skoczypiec, A. (2022). Illicium verum (star anise) and trans-anethole as valuable raw materials for medicinal and cosmetic applications. Molecules, 27(3), Article 650. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27030650
Vecchio, M. D., Amato, G., Gulati, C. M., & Loizzo, G. (2016). Pimpinella anisum and Illicium verum: The multifaceted role of anise plants. The Open Agriculture Journal, 10(1), 81–86. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874331501610010081
Vella, F. M., Crupi, R., Cirmi, S., Pergolizzi, G., & Loizzo, G. R. (2020). Chemometric screening of fourteen essential oils for their composition and biological properties. Molecules, 25(21), Article 5126. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25215126
Wong, Y. C., Lee, P. P., & Wan Nurdiyana, W. A. (2014). Extraction and antioxidative activity of essential oil from star anise (Illicium verum). Oriental Journal of Chemistry, 30(3), 1159–1171. https://doi.org/10.13005/ojc/300329
Zhang, G., Zheng, M., Pan, Y., Li, N., Bu, C., Ren, C., Guo, M., Yang, W., & Guo, T. (2024). Revealing the potential of star anise essential oil: Comparative analysis and optimization of innovative extraction methods for enhanced yield, aroma characteristics, chemical composition, and biological activities. Food Science & Nutrition, 12(11), 9540–9554. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.4508
Agricultural Biotechnology Journal
Volume 17, Issue 4
November 2025
Pages 381-402

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics