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Updated: Apr 27, 2026
A Purification and In Vitro Activity Assay for a pppGpp Synthetase from Clostridium difficile
Published on: November 3, 2018
Pomegranate extract exhibits in vitro activity against Clostridium difficile
Sydney M Finegold1, Paula H Summanen2, Karen Corbett2
1Infectious 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.
Pomegranate extract shows antimicrobial activity against Clostridium difficile in laboratory tests. This suggests its potential use in preventing or managing C. difficile infections and colonization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) pose a significant healthcare challenge.
- Antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of pomegranate extract against Clostridium difficile.
- To assess pomegranate's potential role in managing or preventing C. difficile-related conditions.
Main Methods:
- Agar dilution technique used to test pomegranate extract against 29 C. difficile isolates.
- Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) determined.
- Total phenolics quantified using the Folin-Ciocalteau method.
Main Results:
- Pomegranate extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against all tested C. difficile strains.
- MICs ranged from 12.5 to 25 mg/mL gallic acid equivalent.
- In vitro efficacy supports further investigation.
Conclusions:
- Pomegranate extract exhibits promising antimicrobial properties against C. difficile.
- It may serve as a valuable adjunct in preventing or treating C. difficile infections and colonization.
