Antimicrobial Activity of Extracts of Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus: Mechanisms, Modern Insights, and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

This study investigates the antibacterial potential of Taraxacum officinale (dandelion), a plant revered in traditional medicine, against two clinically significant pathogens: Escherichia coli (a leading cause of urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections) and Staphylococcus aureus (notorious for skin and bloodstream infections, including methicillin-resistant strains, MRSA). Methanol, chloroform, and aqueous extracts of dandelion leaves and roots were prepared using Soxhlet extraction and maceration, then evaluated via agar well diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Methanol extracts exhibited the highest activity, with zones of inhibition (ZOI) of 16–18 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 0.30 mg/mL against both strains, outperforming chloroform extracts (ZOI: 14–15 mm) and demonstrating efficacy comparable to tetracycline. Phytochemical profiling confirmed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and flavonoids—compounds linked to membrane disruption and enzyme inhibition in bacteria. Aqueous extracts showed no activity, likely due to poor solubility of hydrophobic bioactive constituents. These findings, supported by recent metabolomic studies identifying sesquiterpene lactones in dandelion position Taraxacum officinale as a promising candidate for antibiotic adjuvant development.