title: Pomegranate extract exhibits in vitro activity against Clostridium difficile.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the possible utility of pomegranate extract in the management or prevention of Clostridium difficile infections or colonization.
  
  
  METHODS
  The activity of pomegranate was tested against 29 clinical C. difficile isolates using the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute-approved agar dilution technique. Total phenolics content of the pomegranate extract was determined by Folin-Ciocalteau colorimetric method and final concentrations of 6.25 to 400 μg/mL gallic acid equivalent were achieved in the agar.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All strains had MICs at 12.5 to 25 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent range. Our results suggest antimicrobial in vitro activity for pomegranate extract against toxigenic C. difficile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pomegranate extract may be a useful contributor to the management and prevention of C. difficile disease or colonization.
authors: Infectious Diseases Section, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA. Electronic address: sidfinegold@gmail.com.
authors: Sydney M
authors: SM
authors: Finegold
authors: Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Paula H
authors: PH
authors: Summanen
authors: Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Karen
authors: K
authors: Corbett
authors: Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Julia
authors: J
authors: Downes
authors: UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Susanne M
authors: SM
authors: Henning
authors: Research Service, VA Medical Center West Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Center for Human Nutrition, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA.
authors: Zhaoping
authors: Z
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016360:Clostridioides difficile / Q000187:drug effects*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010636:Phenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010636:Phenols; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Clostridum difficile; MIC; Minimum inhibitory concentration; Pomegranate; Pomegranate extract; Susceptibility