(-)Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits gelatinase activity of some bacterial isolates from ocular infection, and limits their invasion through gelatine.
The objective of this paper is to assess the gelatinase production by some ocular pathogenic bacterial strains, and evaluate the ability of (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) to inhibit this gelatinase activity and thus limit bacterial invasion. The effect of EGCg on bacterial gelatinase activity was tested by classic zymography methods, while its effect on bacterial invasion was evaluated through the ability of growing bacteria to liquefy and thus penetrate a semisolid gelatine substrate. It was found that EGCg inhibits bacterial gelatinases with an IC(50) of about 0.2 mM, and limits invasion of gelatinase-positive bacteria at concentrations above 2 mM. These results show for the first time that EGCg, as well as having direct antibacterial activity, can also inhibit bacterial gelatinases, thus limiting their invasion on gelatine. Possible use of EGCg is thus suggested as an adjuvant in antibacterial chemotherapy.
Blanco
Anna Rita
AR
Department of R&D, SIFI SpA, Via E. Patti 36, Lavinaio, Catania 95020, Italy.
La Terra Mulè
Simona
S
Babini
Gioia
G
Garbisa
Spiridione
S
Enea
Vincenzo
V
Rusciano
Dario
D
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003470:Culture Media / Q000032:analysis; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005780:Gelatin; D018093:Gelatinases / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013662:Tea
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; D005780:Gelatin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D018093:Gelatinases