Anti-borreliae efficacy of selected organic oils and fatty acids

Lyme disease (LD) is a multi-systemic zoonosis transmitted by ticks. According to the CDC, it has become the most common vector-borne disease in Europe and Northern America. In the USA alone the number of diagnosed LD cases reaches 300,000 annually [1]. The causative factor of this illness is a bacterium of genus Borrelia which is an invasive, host-dependent, semi-aerophilic, and slow-growing pathogen [2]. These features attribute to the long delays when diagnosing LD and, in many cases, a correct and precise diagnosis is a challenge. Currently, four predominant species are identified to cause LD: Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. and Borrelia mayonii (in North America) and Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii (in Eurasia). All of the species can exist in three morphological forms. The vegetative (active) form is the typical corkscrew motile spirochetes. Under stress conditions, including antibiotic exposure in vitro, they have the ability to quickly transform into latent persistent forms such as knob/round-shaped bodies (forms) and/or biofilm-like aggregates [3‐6]. Although not fully proven and accepted, it is believed that these latent forms might be one of the possible causes of the infection persisting in animal and human organisms [7‐11].

The primary and conventional treatment for Lyme patients is based on antibiotics, and the “first choice” of β-lactams and tetracyclines are administered for up to 3–4 weeks. Randomized clinical trials showed that for the acute (early) stage of LD this approach can be nearly 90% effective, as opposed to the late and persistent stages of this disease, whose etiology, although is still not clearly explained, points to lingering persisting infection as one of the reasons [2, 12‐14]. In addition, prolonged treatments with FDA-approved antibiotics are not recommended for pregnant women and patients with persistent LD (PTLDS, Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome), since their effectiveness has not been demonstrated, they are not cost-effective, and they are difficult to administrate, or may involve toxic side effects [1, 15‐21]. Among patients suffering from chronic symptoms, approximately 20% of them remain without effective treatment [1]. The alternative non-antibiotic treatments are available but their efficacy has not yet been validated in clinical trials. One of the reasons might be the rather small number of compounds that have been studied thus far against Borrelia sp. [22‐27]. However, naturally-derived substances, either in the form of the isolated active compounds, their metabolites, or plant-based extracts, have been a valuable source of non-synthetic and non-modified agents for human and animal health longer than the synthetic therapeutics [28‐32]. Their potential as antimicrobials has been tested against an abundance of bacteria species. Lipid compounds have not yet been extensively studied as anti-borreliae agents. Their classification is rather unified and integrates a vast group of chemical compounds diverted in structure, properties, and function [33]. Lipids are commonly ascribed as hydrophobic viscous in ambient temperature compounds of plant, animal, or petrochemical origin. They encompass a class of molecules recognized as triglycerides, which are liquid in nature and called oils, as well fatty acids that are carboxylic acids with a long aliphatic chain, either saturated or unsaturated. Organic oils may be comprised in volatile or non-volatile groups with extensive use in industry, cosmetology, and food and medicine. Their remarkable applicability also evokes an interest as naturally occurring agents with broad antimicrobial characteristics [30‐32].

Saturated or unsaturated fatty acids are the essential building blocks of other structurally complex lipids, and are important dietary sources of energy for animals. Thus, it is rational to study the biocidal potential of organic oils and fatty acids and validate their specific or general antimicrobial activity.

In this study, we tested 30 volatile and non-volatile organic oils, and 17 fatty acids against all known pleomorphic forms of Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. and Borrelia garinii. We evaluated their anti-borreliae effect using a “golden standard” method of direct counting and dark field microscopy, and the high throughput spectrofluorometric screening method to assess viability of the logarithmic phase (rich in typical motile spirochetes) and the stationary phase (rich in knob/round-shaped persisters) [20]. We also conducted quantitative testing of these lipids against biofilm-like aggregates of both studied Borrelia strains.

The bactericidal efficacy of selected lipid compounds against typical motile spirochetes (logarithmic phase) and knob/round-shaped persisters (stationary phase) of Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. (B31 strain) and Borrelia garinii (CIP103362 strain) are presented as the minimal bactericidal (MBC) concentrations in Tables 1 and 2. The results showed that among 30 tested oils, 22 expressed bactericidal activity against typical corkscrew motile spirochetes and knob/round-shaped persisters and the MBC values fluctuated between 0.15 and 1%. Out of all 17 tested fatty acids, 8 revealed the killing effect at the concentrations between 0.5 mg/ml and 1.0 mg/ml. The MBC values corresponded to each other for both tested Borrelia sp. The triple combination of antibiotics (daptomycin+cefoperazon+doxycycline) at the concentration of 0.03 mg/ml (0.01 mg/ml, each) was used as a positive control since this combination at this particular concentration was previously reported to be effective against both typical motile spirochetes and knob/round-shaped persisters of Borrelia burgdorferi [20, 26].

The results obtained from spectrofluorometric measurements have been further validated by direct counting using a dark field microscope and a fluorescence microscope for Bay leaf oil, Cassia oil and 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid, all selected as agents with the highest anti-borreliae efficacy among all compounds tested in this study (Table 3). The results corroborated the data obtained from spectrofluorometric assay and, in addition, revealed that minimal inhibitory (MIC) values for Bay leaf oil and Cassia oil was 0.005%, and 0.025 mg/ml for 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid. Moreover, bactericidal effect of these three lipids was time-dependent with the MBC₅₀ value achieved after 24 h (Fig. 1). Also, in this set of experiments additional examination was performed to find out which of the active components in the most effective oils (Bay leaf oil, Birch oil, Cassia oil, Chamomile oil German, and Thyme oil) could be responsible for observed anti-borreliae effect. The results revealed that 0.125% of eugenol (present in Bay leaf oil), 0.25% of methyl salicylate (present in Birch [sweet] oil), 0.125% cinnamaldehyde (present in Cassia oil), 0.10 mg/ml of chamazulene (present in Chamomile oil German), and 0.20 mg/ml thymol (present in Thyme oil), could be the constituents with bactericidal activity in contrast to other active ingredients present in these oils that did not show such activity [35‐39]. There were no significant differences in efficacy of these compounds between both tested Borrelia spp.

The results of the 14-day sub-culturing study were performed as described previously [26, 27] to verify the killing effect of the stationary phase of Bay leaf oil and Cassia oil, including their major active component cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, as well as 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid, are presented in Fig. 2. They show that Bay leaf oil at 0.15% concentration, or 0.125% eugenol as well as Cassia oil, or 0.125% cinnamaldehyde, were able to repopulate the fresh BSK-H media with predominantly live cells in 0.1–0.3%. Treatment with the triple antibiotic combination (0.03 mg/ml) resulted in ~ 10–12% of viable cells as previously reported [26], and a 24% increase in the number of viable cells treated with 0.5 mg/ml 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid. Direct microscopic counting confirmed the results obtained with the SYBR Green I/PI assay.

Evaluation of biofilm-like structures grown on collagen-coated surface did not show the eradication of the biofilm-like aggregates when treated with 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid. This was in contrast to Bay leaf oil and eugenol, as well as Cassia oil and cinnamaldehyde, although biofilm decrease was at a range of ~ 20–30% (Fig. 3). Treatment with the triple antibiotic combination did not have any significant effect on Borrelia biofilm-like structures grown on collagen surface, as published earlier [26].

Naturally occurring compounds have been widely used in many aspects of human health for centuries [28‐32, 40‐43]. They have been extensively studied for their antimicrobial properties as well. Derived from a variety of biological sources such as plants, herbs, spices, and fruits, they have shown activity against a plethora of viruses, bacteria and fungi species, and are effective as food preservatives [44‐47]. In addition, naturally-derived substances form the structural basis for developing new synthetic or semi-synthetic agents [29].

To date, most of the compounds investigated against Borrelia sp. belong to the polyphenols with only one study thus far that investigated volatile oils [25, 27]. The authors of this study concluded that the most active essential oils were oregano oil, cinnamon oil, and clove oil, displaying higher efficacy than daptomycin, an antibiotic shown to kill Borrelia’s persister. This study also indicated that oregano oil and its major constituent, carvacrol, are the most effective against the stationary phase of Borrelia burgdorferi with the ability of targeting biofilm-like clumps [27]. However, studies investigating other classes of lipid molecules such as fatty acids are lacking.

Our in vitro study expanded the pool of volatile oils to non-volatile oils and other classes of lipids such as fatty acids. The results indicate that out of 30 examined oils, Bay leaf oil and Cassia oil showed the highest anti-borreliae bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect, and moderate eradication effect of biofilm-like structures grown on collagen-coated surface. Additional evaluation of different concentrations of these two oils as well as their main active components, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, displayed anti-borreliae effects in a time-dependent killing manner, which might point to a specific rather than non-specific mode of action. Interestingly, active ingredients in the most effective oils present in the highest amounts in these oils were responsible for observed anti-borreliae effect. One example is the difference between efficacy of Chamomile oil Roman and Chamomile oil German with the latter being more potent but also containing a higher amount of chamazulene [37]. In regards to fatty acids, out of the 17 tested, 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid showed most bacteriostatic and bactericidal effect. In contrast to the oils, none of these compounds significantly affected biofilm-like structures of Borrelia spp. when used at a concentration sufficient to kill the logarithmic phase and the stationary phase of bacteria.

In order to find out whether viable cells can regrow after a 14-day period in the absence of test lipids, we conducted sub-culturing experiments using the lipid-treated stationary phase by transferring its 1/20 portion into fresh culture medium. This study revealed that both Bay leaf oil and Cassia oil and their main ingredients (eugenol and cinnamaldehyde) are effective biocides, since no regrowth of viable cells was detected after a 14-day subculture. This was in contrast to 13Z,16Z docosadienoic where ~ 24% regrowth was observed. The 0.03 mg/ml (0.003%) triple antibiotic combination (daptomycin, doxycycline, and cefoperazone) was effective against typical motile spirochetes and knob/round-shaped persisters, but not biofilm-like aggregates grown on collagen surface, and treatment with the triple antibiotic combination resulted in ~ 11% regrowth of viable cells, as reported previously [26].

Antibacterial efficacy of Bay leaf oil (Pimenta racemosa) often misled with Laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis), Birch oil (Betula lenta), and Cassia oil (Cinnamomum cassia) misled with Cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), in contrast to other volatile oils included in this study, e.g. Chamomile oil German (Matricaria chamomilla), Chamomile oil Roman (Chamaemelum nobile), Laurel leaf (Laurus nobilis), Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris), etc., have not been extensively studied by other research groups against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and there is no record about their anti-borreliae efficacy [48‐52]. However, it is worth mentioning that Feng, et al., recently reported about the profound efficacy of Clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum), Cinnamon oil (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and Oregano oil (Origanum vulgare) with its main component carvacrol, against the stationary phase of Borrelia burgdorferi at the MBC₉₀ value established to be at or above 0.1%.

Efficacy of active ingredients of the oils tested in this study and shown to be the most effective against Borrelia burgdorferi s.s. and Borrelia garinii such as eugenol, methyl salicylate, cinnamaldehyde, chamazulene, and thymol, against resistant and non-resistant gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria has been demonstrated more broadly [30, 31, 39, 48‐54]. Interestingly, it was chamazulene and not α-bisabalol, which are both present in Chamomile oil German, to be responsible for anti-borreliae effect. Reported MBC values depend on the species and their resistance, and range from 0.01 to 1.9%, with the noticeable pattern of higher bactericidal concentrations being effective against their latent forms, clinical isolates and resistant strains [52]. MBC values obtained in our study have corroborated the ranges of those already reported. As well, the same efficacy was found to be against the logarithmic phase (enriched in typical motile spirochetes) and the stationary phase (enriched in persisters). Eugenol and cinnamaldehyde, as representatives of phenylpropanoids, were found to be especially effective against typical motile, knob/round-shaped persisters, and the micro-colonies of studied Borrelia spp. as presented in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Interestingly, these compounds are major parts of many essential oils and powdered extracts that showed to be active against a plethora of other microbials such as viruses, yeasts, molds, and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including resistant strains and biofilms. It is also worth mentioning their anti-oxidant properties and their commercial applications in food flavorings, cosmetics, dentistry, and dermal drug delivery [55, 56]. Moreover, eugenol and cinnamaldehyde have recently become a focus of interest due to their anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory potential [57, 58]. They have attracted a lot of interest for their bioactivities and applicability in agriculture as well [50, 55, 56]. Furthermore, these molecules are known to react with some enzymes and/or receptors consequently generating diverse therapeutically relevant pharmacological functions. Thus, these compounds are very promising candidates for versatile applications. Although the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of these compounds in humans have been studied, their therapeutic usage still remains to be further explored, and likewise research on chemical syntheses and modifications have been carried out to obtain compounds with more effective bioactivity. Finally, it is important to note that the effects of these two compounds on bacterial morphology has been observed, rendering possible action mostly towards their cell and mitochondrial membrane and the function of key survival-related metabolic enzymes [53, 54]. Thus, being hydrophobic in nature they are effective biocidal agents. However, cellular adaptation to these oils has not yet been reported, although it cannot be excluded.

There are numerous studies evaluating antibacterial properties of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, but none relate to their anti-borreliae effects. Moreover, fatty acids operating as key components of antimicrobial food additives inhibiting the growth of undesirable microorganisms are well documented [40, 41, 59‐61]. Besides the common fatty acids, it has been reported about their derivatives showing potent antimicrobial activities [41]. Interestingly, the antibacterial efficacy of fatty acids is usually ascribed to long-chain unsaturated fatty acids rather than generally less effective long-chain saturated fatty acids [41, 62]. It is also worth mentioning that long-chain unsaturated fatty acids are biocidal against well-known pathogens such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacteria sp., Bacillus sp. and Streptococcus sp. [62‐66].

Based on our study we concluded that unsaturated fatty acids were more potent than saturated fatty acids against Borrelia spp. Moreover, the most effective were the fatty acids that have 18–22 carbons such as polyunsaturated 13Z,16Z docosadienoic acid (omega 6, C₂₂), as well as monounsaturated erucic acid (omega 9, C₂₂) and petroselinic acid (omega 12, C₁₈). Interestingly, the unsaturated fatty acids that are classified as omega 6, 9, and 12 were more potent than omega 3. Their molecular target and mode of action still remains unknown, even though there have been several reports that point to the cell membranes as a primary target [67]. Greenway, et al., [68] suggested that fatty acids with 18 carbons may have a surfactant-type action by increasing membrane permeability. Others have suggested auto-oxidation products of unsaturated fatty acids that could be toxic to bacteria [69]. In addition, extensive pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, and toxicological studies are warranted before extrapolating their applicability from bench to bedside.

Collectively, this study documents in vitro efficacy of a range of lipid compounds against active and latent forms of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and indicate their being a promising non-synthetic alternative for combating these bacteria. These and earlier reported data by other groups support the hypothesis that organic oils in particular may be valuable and cost-efficient antimicrobials, and could be especially beneficial as topical or oral intervention in the case of other limited resources. Although further in vivo and human studies with attention paid to their safety are warranted, the organic oils could also become important antimicrobial agents improving the outcome of traditional treatments, and/or as an alternative option to conventional approaches.