Synergistic cranberry juice combinations with natural‐borne antimicrobials for the eradication of uropathogenic Escherichia coli biofilm within a short time

Abstract

Urinary tract infections (UTI), one of the most common diseases in humans, are caused primarily by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Cranberry juice (CB) is a widely known prophylaxis for UTI, but the treatment of CB alone could not effectively eradicate preformed UPEC biofilms. The aim of this study was to develop enforced CB composites within a short time by adding a small quantity of natural borne antimicrobials. UPEC biofilms (initial: 6·0 log CFU per cm2), formed on silicone coupons in artificial urine medium, were exposed to CB (4–8%), caprylic acid (CAR; 0·025–0·05%) and thymol (TM; 0·025–0·05%) at 37°C for 1 min. Individual treatment of each compound did not show the significant antibacterial effect on UPEC biofilms (P > 0·05). Otherwise, the survivor counts of biofilms were synergistically reduced with CB containing any of the antimicrobials. For example combined treatment with CB (8%) + CAR (0·05%) + TM (0·05%) resulted in a 6 log reduction in UPEC populations in the biofilm (no detectable bacteria remained) with 4·6 log of synergistic bactericidal effect. The confocal laser scanning microscope images indicated that any composites including TM might result in biofilm detachment from the surface. The present method is cost‐effective and more acceptable to consumers as it is based on the synergistic interaction of natural borne antimicrobials. The results of this study could be widely applicable in the functional food, medical and healthcare field. Significance and Impact of the Study Anti‐biofilm effect of cranberry juice (CB) has been focused mainly on inhibiting biofilm formation of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC); however, combined treatment with natural borne antimicrobials derived from coconut oil (caprylic acid) and oregano essential oil (thymol) could synergistically enhance its eradicating activity against biofilms. This study developed novel CB composites showing marked anti‐biofilm effects (complete eradication of UPEC biofilms within just 1 min).

Microbiological, antioxidant and lipoxygenase-1 inhibitory activities of fruit extracts of chosen Rosaceae family species

“…The E. coli stock culture was kept in the refrigerator (−40°C) on a nutrient agar plate. Before each experiment, the strain was first allowed to reach room temperature, transferred to tryptic soy agar, and incubated at 37°C for 18 h. Then, bacterial cells were incubated in tryptic soy broth with varying concentrations (1,5,10,20,30,40,50,60,65,70,75, and 80 mg/mL) of ME or WE of the plants tested for 24 h at 37°C. Control cultures were incubated in the absence of plant extracts.…”

“…The biofilm formation assay was performed according to O'Toole and Kolter. 19 After 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9, and 10 days of incubation, the OD 590 values of the stained biofilms were read using a microtiter plate reader. On the basis of the recorded optical densities (ODs) of bacterial biofilms, E. coli strains were divided into 4 categories: OD ≤ ODc (no biofilm producer); ODc < OD ≤ 2 × ODc (weak biofilm producer); 2 × ODc < OD ≤ 4 × ODc (moderate biofilm producer); and 4 × ODc < OD (strong biofilm producer).…”

“…2,3 This, combined with the other well-accepted facts that cranberry juice or extracts possess antibacterial properties, especially that they can reduce the risk of urinary tract infections, might result in the conclusion that the presence of anthocyanins and/or proanthocyanidins in certain plants is essential for their biological and/or antioxidant activity. 4,5 To test if this conclusion is true, we have chosen for the present study the methanol (ME) and water (WE) extracts of 4 fruits of plants belonging to the Rosaceae family and (according to the preliminary chemical analysis) possessing almost none or relatively small amounts of anthocyanins/proanthocyanidins (when compared to other bioactive phenolics). The Rosaceae family was chosen because many its members have been used in folk medicine.…”

Radiosensitivity increase in FCV-F9 virus using combined treatments with natural antimicrobials and γ-irradiation

“…Owing to the consumers’ preference of natural compounds over artificial chemicals, natural compounds that possess antimicrobial properties without causing any undesirable sensory changes of the product, toxicity and adverse health effects are in growing demand. Among the fruit extracts, cranberry extracts attracted much attention as they are known to exhibit a range of antibacterial, antiviral and pharmacological properties (Côté et al ; Zhao et al ; Kim et al ). Cranberry juice (CJ) reportedly helps prevent and reduce the recurrence of urinary tract infections (Liu et al ; Pinzón‐Arango et al ; Maki et al , ).…”

Preclinical Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Compositions and Their Components for Urinary Health

“…Recurrence of urinary infection with or without resistance development is concerning [2] and a growing number of patients have an interest in using natural products, which may be conveniently obtained over the counter. Interest in non-antibiotic approaches encompasses acute cystitis and prophylaxis of recurrent urinary infection [3].…”