title: The anti-biofilm potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) extract against human bacterial and fungal pathogens.
abstract: Infectious diseases caused by bacteria and fungi are the major cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe. Multi-drug resistance in these pathogens augments the complexity and severity of the diseases. Various studies have shown the role of biofilms in multi-drug resistance, where the pathogen resides inside a protective coat made of extracellular polymeric substances. Since biofilms directly influence the virulence and pathogenicity of a pathogen, it is optimal to employ a strategy that effectively inhibits the formation of biofilm. Pomegranate is a common food and is also used traditionally to treat various ailments. This study assessed the anti-biofilm activity of a methanolic extract of pomegranate against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Methanolic extract of pomegranate was shown to inhibit the formation of biofilms by Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin resistant S. aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Apart from inhibiting the formation of biofilm, pomegranate extract disrupted pre-formed biofilms and inhibited germ tube formation, a virulence trait, in C. albicans. Characterization of the methanolic extract of pomegranate revealed the presence of ellagic acid (2,3,7,8-tetrahydroxy-chromeno[5,4,3-cde]chromene-5,10-dione) as the major component. Ellagic acid is a bioactive tannin known for its antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Further studies revealed the ability of ellagic acid to inhibit the growth of all species in suspension at higher concentrations (>75 μg ml(-1)) and biofilm formation at lower concentrations (<40 μg ml(-1)) which warrants further investigation of the potential of ellagic acid or peel powders of pomegranate for the treatment of human ailments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, India .
authors.forename: Dhamodharan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bakkiyaraj
authors.forename: Janarthanam Rathna
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Nandhini
authors.forename: Balakumar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Malathy
authors.forename: Shunmugiah Karutha
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pandian
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects*; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D029561:Lythraceae; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts