Bioprospecting of six Polyphenol-rich Mediterranean wild edible plants reveals antioxidant, antibiofilm and bactericidal properties against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Plant biodiversity offers a valuable source of bioactive molecules to address critical global challenges including antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a major health threat. Wild edible plants (WEPs) have recently gained attention for their ability to accumulate specialized metabolites that are emerging for their efficacy against AMR. Although many studies suggest their potential use in combating infectious diseases, knowledge about the biochemical properties of these plants, their chemical profile and antibacterial activities, remains highly limited. In this scenery, the aim of this study was a bioprospecting of the chemical and antioxidant profile, the antibiofilm and bactericidal properties of six WEPs, largely distributed in Italy and historically used as food, namely: Silene alba, Silene vulgaris, Chenopodium album, Sonchus oleraceus, Glechoma hederacea and Diplotaxis erucoides. We applied an integrated approach, combining analytical chemistry, plant biochemistry and microbiology. These WEPs revealed notable antibiofilm and bactericidal abilities, anti-adherence and cell wall damage properties. These activities were strongly linked to the presence of phenolic compounds and to the antioxidant abilities of these plants. S. alba, S. oleraceus, and G. hederacea showed the highest efficacy. Our findings might encourage their consumption or use, which could improve dietary plant biodiversity, human health, and fight the rise of AMR.