Decoding the Therapeutic Potential of Agave Americana Via In Vitro Bioactivity Evaluation and in Silico Molecular Docking Against Oral Pathogens
Abstract
Objective: The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant oral pathogens has created an urgent need for alternative therapeutic agents. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Agave americana leaf extracts against clinically isolated oral pathogens and assessed their potential as a natural antimicrobial for oral healthcare. Methods: A total of 150 clinical specimens from dental patients were microbiologically analyzed. Bacterial isolates were identified using culture, Gram staining, biochemical tests, and automated confirmation. Representative Staphylococcus and Streptococcus isolates were selected for further investigation. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method. Methanol, ethanol, and ethyl acetate leaf extracts (25%, 50%, and 75%) were evaluated using agar diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Synergistic effects with antibiotics, GC–MS phytochemical profiling, cytotoxicity on HEK-293 cells, and molecular docking analyses were also performed. Results: Ten multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus and Streptococcus isolates were selected. Carbapenems, particularly imipenem and meropenem, showed the greatest antibacterial activity, whereas resistance to cephalosporins was common. The 75% ethyl acetate extract demonstrated the strongest antibacterial effect, with inhibition zones up to 33 mm and MIC values ranging from 0.125 to 1.000 mg/mL. The extract enhanced the activity of carbapenems and doxycycline, indicating…
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