Today, the increment in microbial resistance has guided the researches focus into new antimicrobial compounds or transmission systems. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is an opportunistic pathogen, producing a biofilm responsible for a wide range of nosocomial infections which are often difficult to eradicate with available antibiotics. On the other hand, Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon oil) (CO) is widely used as a natural antibacterial agent and Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are promising carriers for antibacterial compounds due to their lipophilic nature and ease of transmission through the bacterial cell wall. In this study, nanoparticles containing cinnamon oil (CO-SLN) were prepared by dual emulsion method and evaluated in terms of particle size, shape, entrapment efficiency (EE), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), oil release kinetics, and cell compatibility. The antibacterial activity of CO-SLN and CO against 10 drug-resistant E. coli strains was investigated. The anti-biofilm activity of CO-SLN on the selected pathogen was also investigated. Nanoparticles with an average size of 337.6 nm, and zeta potential of -26.6 mV were fabricated and their round shape was confirmed by TEM images. The antibacterial effects of CO-SLN and CO were reported with MIC Value of 60–75 µg/mL and 155–165 µg/mL and MBC value of 220–235 µg/ml and 540–560 µg/ml, respectively. On the other hand, CO-SLN with 1/2 MIC concentration had the greatest inhibition of biofilm formation in 24 h of incubation (55.25%). The data presented indicate that the MIC of CO-SLN has significantly reduced and it seems that SLN has facilitated and promoted CO transmission through the cell membrane.

No abstract

No abstract

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has remained as a global health problem. Animal studies demonstrated the role of H. pylori oipA gene in the development of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was the cloning and expression of Helicobacter pylori oipA gene in a bicistronic vector harboring mice IL-18 gene. Materials and methods: The target gene encoding oipA was amplified from a codonoptimized clone by PCR, and then double-digested by restriction enzymes. The pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc plasmid was simultaneously digested by BstXI/NotI enzymes to elicit the eGFP segment. PCR product of oipA was inserted into pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc plasmid using T4 ligase. Transformation into DH5α strain was done. Cloning was confirmed by PCR, enzymatic digestion and sequencing. Expression of the oipA and IL-18 mRNA was assessed by means of TaqMan Real-time PCR. Results: Electrophoresis of PCR product, enzymatic digestion and sequencing showed that the H. pylori oipA gene was successfully cloned into pIRES-Igk/mIL18/Fc to generate mIL-18-pIRES2-oipA plasmid. The results of Real-time PCR confirmed the successful expression of both oipA and IL-18 in mouse macrophage cell line. Conclusion: Considering the role of oipA in pathogenesis of H. pylori and potent activity of IL-18 as a molecular adjuvant, the results of the present study showed that the expression of codon-optimized oipA gene in bicistronic vector including mouse IL-18 is successful. So, it could be considered as an appropriate genetic vaccine candidate for H. pylori in future investigations.