Unveiling the Antimicrobial Properties of Raspberry Leaves Against Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Klebsiella pneumoniae, a major contributor to nosocomial infections, accounts for 10% of hospital-acquired infections and is classified as a critical and high-priority antibiotic-resistant bacterium by the WHO. Infections stemming from K. pneumoniae are often severe and life-threatening due to high levels of antibiotic resistance, resulting in adverse outcomes. Consequently, there is an urgent need for new drugs effective against K. pneumoniae infections. One promising approach involves exploring the antibacterial potential of natural resources, specifically byproducts rich in bioactive compounds, notably phenolic compounds [1].

In this study, we aimed to assess the antimicrobial, phytochemical, and antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts from raspberry leaves against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical wound infections. The results revealed a positive correlation between the phenolic content of raspberry leaves and their antimicrobial efficacy. The findings reveal a total antioxidant activity of 93.5%±0.12. The extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against all K. pneumoniae strains from clinical isolates, with inhibition rates equal to or exceeding 50%. These findings suggest that aqueous extracts of raspberry leaves may serve as a valuable therapeutic resource for combating multi-resistant bacteria.