A current perspective on antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of waru (Hibiscus tiliaceus L.)

During the long course of evolution, disease-causing pathogenic bacteria have developed a variety of virulence mechanisms that help them establish and maintain infections. Among these mechanisms are the production of biofilm protecting the bacteria from undesirable environmental conditions and contributing to the development of new multi-drug-resistance bacterial strains. Hence, biofilm has become an attracted target for the development of a novel strategy in fighting against biofilm-forming pathogens. There has been much work to look for novel antibacterial and antibiofilm agents, including the use of plant-derived materials. Hibiscus tiliaceus is one of the widely known medicinal plant with antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. This review focuses on antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of H. tiliaceus as well as the major phytochemical constituents that might contribute to these activities.