title: (-)Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits gelatinase activity of some bacterial isolates from ocular infection, and limits their invasion through gelatine.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of R&D, SIFI SpA, Via E. Patti 36, Lavinaio, Catania 95020, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna Rita
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Terra Mulè
authors.forename: Gioia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Babini
authors.forename: Spiridione
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Garbisa
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Enea
authors.forename: Dario
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rusciano
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D003470:Culture Media; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; D005780:Gelatin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D018093:Gelatinases