effect of pomegranate peel extract and vitamin C in comparison with gemifloxacin on inhibiting adhesion of Escherichia coli to uroepithelial cells

ABSTRACT

Prevention of bacterial adhesion is an attractive target for the development of new therapies in the prevention of bacterial infection. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of pomegranate peel extract, vitamin C, combination of pomegranate peel extract and vitamin C and gemifloxacin on adhesion of E.coli to uroepithelial cells. Uroepithelial cells were incubated with E. coli ATCC 25922 bacteria previously exposed to either the aqueous extract of pomegranate peel [AEPP], vitamin C, combination of both or gemifloxacin and the adherence was assessed by light microscopy. AEPP showed good antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration MIC of 25microg/ml and 10 mmol/ml for vitamin C and upon combination, the MIC was10microg/ml and 5mmol/ml for AEPP and vitamin C respectively whereas for gemifloxacin was 0.03microg/ml. In vitro and in vivo adhesion of E.coli to uroepithelial cells were significantly inhibited by AEPP, vitamin C alone and in combination and by gemifloxacin. AEPP showed good antibacterial activity, inhibited E.coli adhesion to uroepithelial cells and were potentiated by vitamin C