title: In vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of phytochemicals and micronutrients against Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia garinii.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Little is known about the effects of phytochemicals against Borrelia sp. causing Lyme disease. Current therapeutic approach to this disease is limited to antibiotics. This study examined the anti-borreliae efficacy of several plant-derived compounds and micronutrients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We tested the efficacy of 15 phytochemicals and micronutrients against three morphological forms of Borrelia burgdoferi and Borrelia garinii: spirochetes, latent rounded forms and biofilm. The results showed that the most potent substances against the spirochete and rounded forms of B. burgdorferi and B. garinii were cis-2-decenoic acid, baicalein, monolaurin and kelp (iodine); whereas, only baicalein and monolaurin revealed significant activity against the biofilm. Moreover, cis-2-decenoic acid, baicalein and monolaurin did not cause statistically significant cytotoxicity to human HepG2 cells up to 125 μg ml(-1) and kelp up to 20 μg ml(-1) .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most effective antimicrobial compounds against all morphological forms of the two tested Borrelia sp. were baicalein and monolaurin. This might indicate that the presence of fatty acid and phenyl groups is important for comprehensive antibacterial activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reveals the potential of phytochemicals as an important tool in the fight against the species of Borrelia causing Lyme disease.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Rath Research Institute BV, Santa Clara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goc
authors.affiliation: Dr. Rath Research Institute BV, Santa Clara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Niedzwiecki
authors.affiliation: Dr. Rath Research Institute BV, Santa Clara, CA, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rath
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018441:Biofilms; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi / Q000187:drug effects*; D015748:Borrelia burgdorferi Group / Q000187:drug effects*; D056945:Hep G2 Cells; D006801:Humans; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D018977:Micronutrients; D064209:Phytochemicals
keywords: Borrelia sp.; Lyme disease; biofilm; cysts; phytochemicals; spirochetes