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Updated: Jul 29, 2026
Transurethral Induction of Mouse Urinary Tract Infection
Published on: August 5, 2010
Prophylactic herbal therapy prevents experimental ascending urinary tract infection in mice
Yan-Qing Tong1, Min Sun2, Ying Chi2
1Department of Nephrology, the First Affilliated Hospital to Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China. tongyanqing@yahoo.com.
Objective:
To study the preventive effect of herbal formulation on experimental murine urinary tract infection (UTI) induced by Dr Escherichia coli 11128.
Methods:
E. coli 11128 carrying Dr fimbriae was isolated from patients with chronic pyelonephritis. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of herbal solution for E. coli 11128 was determined for further studies. Forty C3H/HeJ mice were divided into the herb-treated group (n=20, given Chinese herbs by gavage at an average dose of 20 g/kg body weight daily 3 days before inoculation), and control group (n=20, given the same amount of distilled water by gavage). Three and 6 days after infection, bacteria were counted in the urine and the kidneys of the mice. Kidney histopathologic changes were evaluated. Neutrophils infiltration and accumulation were detected.
Results:
The MIC value of herbal solution was 0.1 g/mL for the E. coli 11128. In herb-treated mice, there was a significant reduction in bacterial counts in urine and colonization densities of kidneys. Microscopic studies revealed signs of inflammation in kidneys. In herb-treated mice, herbal administration resulted in significantly reduced neutrophilic infiltrates (P<0.05). The semi-quantitative scores for renal lesions were significantly lower (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Prophylactic administration of herbal formulation potentiated the effect in partially preventing experimental murine ascending UTI.
Insights
This study shows that a Chinese herbal formulation can help prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) in mice. Prophylactic use of the herb reduced bacterial counts and kidney inflammation caused by Escherichia coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Urology
Background:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, often caused by Escherichia coli.
- Dr fimbriae-expressing E. coli strains are associated with chronic pyelonephritis.
- Developing effective preventive strategies for UTIs is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the preventive efficacy of a herbal formulation against experimental murine UTIs.
- To assess the impact of the herbal formulation on bacterial load and kidney pathology.
Main Methods:
- E. coli 11128 with Dr fimbriae was used to induce UTIs in C3H/HeJ mice.
- Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of the herbal solution was determined.
- Mice received either herbal formulation or distilled water pre-infection; bacterial counts and kidney histopathology were evaluated.
Main Results:
- The herbal solution demonstrated an MIC of 0.1 g/mL against E. coli 11128.
- Herb-treated mice showed significantly reduced bacterial counts in urine and kidney colonization.
- Reduced neutrophilic infiltration and lower renal lesion scores were observed in the herb-treated group.
Conclusions:
- Prophylactic administration of the herbal formulation showed a partial preventive effect on experimental murine ascending UTIs.
- The findings suggest potential for herbal remedies in UTI prevention.
- Further research into the specific active components and mechanisms is warranted.
