The Fascinating World of Mikania Plants
Mikania plants, particularly Mikania glomerata and Mikania laevigata, have been the subject of various scientific studies and patents due to their significant antibacterial activities. These vines, native to Southeastern Brazil, are not just a part of traditional medicine but are also making strides in modern scientific research. Mikania plants have been the subject of patent filings for over two decades. A Japanese inventor published a patent about odor-suppressing Mikania plants twenty years ago (Ishimaru, 2003). More recently, another patent was filed and granted . Stanley Hazen's team secured this patent for a method involving Mikania extract to inhibit the conversion of choline to trimethylamine (TMA). According to a recent systematic review , Mikania glomerata is among the plant species with the best overall mean MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) values, ranging from 3.5–16 μg/mL. The review also highlighted that of the 76 species from the Asteraceae family with antibac