# Antibiofilm and antibacterial activity of maslinic acid against Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)

## TL;DR

Maslinic acid, a natural compound from olives, shows antibacterial and antibiofilm effects against vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus, with potential for new therapies.

## Contribution

Maslinic acid is shown to disrupt VRE biofilms and reduce bacterial burden in a model more effectively than linezolid.

## Key findings

- Maslinic acid has MICs of 4–8 µg/mL against 13 clinical VRE isolates.
- It disrupts 50% of established E. faecalis biofilms.
- Maslinic acid reduces bacterial burden in C. elegans by 80%.

## Abstract

The emergence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has posed a significant global health threat, especially in healthcare settings where treatment options are increasingly limited due to rising antibiotic resistance. Maslinic acid, a naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpene found in olives, is known for its diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of maslinic acid against VRE. Initial screening identified maslinic acid as a potent hit, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 4 to 8 µg/mL across 13 clinical enterococcal isolates, including multidrug-resistant strains. Time-kill assays demonstrated bacteriostatic activity comparable to linezolid, while cytotoxicity and hemolysis assays confirmed its safety in mammalian cells. Furthermore, maslinic acid disrupted established Enterococcus faecalis biofilms by approximately 50%, whereas linezolid was not effective against biofilms. Notably, maslinic acid significantly reduced bacterial burden in a Caenorhabditis elegans infection model by 80%, outperforming linezolid. These findings highlight maslinic acid as a promising candidate for the development of new therapies targeting VRE, with the added advantage of antibiofilm activity and a favorable safety profile.