Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2025

Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes
12:27

Quantifying the Cytotoxicity of Staphylococcus aureus Against Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Published on: January 3, 2020

6.3K

Polygonum tinctorium extract suppresses the virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by disrupting

Naoko Watabe1, Phawinee Subsomwong1, Kyosuke Yamane2

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki, Aomori, Japan.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology
|October 13, 2024
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Polygonum tinctorium extract (Indigo Ex) disrupts Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles (SaEVs), reducing their virulence. This natural compound shows potential for controlling S. aureus infections without harming host cells.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Natural Products Chemistry

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) poses a significant global health threat, causing severe infections.
  • Bacterial extracellular vesicles (SaEVs) from S. aureus are key factors in bacterial survival and pathogenicity.
  • Polygonum tinctorium (Indigo Ex) is traditionally used for infectious diseases, but its effect on SaEVs is unstudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of P. tinctorium extract (Indigo Ex) on S. aureus extracellular vesicles (SaEVs).
  • To elucidate the mechanism by which Indigo Ex affects SaEVs.
  • To evaluate the potential of Indigo Ex in controlling S. aureus, particularly MRSA infections.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of Indigo Ex from pesticide-free P. tinctorium.
  • Isolation and purification of SaEVs from MRSA culture using ultracentrifugation.
  • Assessment of Indigo Ex's effect on SaEV morphology via electron microscopy.
  • Evaluation of Indigo Ex cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 macrophage cells.
  • Analysis of Indigo Ex-treated SaEVs' impact on immune response and cell viability.

Main Results:

  • Indigo Ex disrupted SaEV particles in a time-dependent manner.
  • Indigo Ex exhibited low cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 cells at high dilutions.
  • Indigo Ex-treated SaEVs demonstrated reduced cytotoxicity and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α, IL-6) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) stimulation in macrophages.

Conclusions:

  • Low concentrations of Indigo Ex effectively suppress S. aureus virulence by disrupting SaEVs.
  • Indigo Ex does not cause significant cytotoxicity to host cells.
  • Indigo Ex holds promise as a therapeutic agent for controlling S. aureus infections.
Keywords:
Anti-inflammationExtracellular vesiclesInhibitionMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureusPolygonum tinctorium, indigo ex

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance06:42

Author Spotlight: Exploring the Antibacterial Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Overcoming Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: September 27, 2024

1.5K
Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks09:18

Assessing the Putative Anticryptococcal Properties of Crude and Clarified Extracts from Mollusks

Published on: December 2, 2022

1.1K

Related Concept Videos

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
3
Antimicrobial Proteins01:23

Antimicrobial Proteins

Antimicrobial proteins are important components of the immune system. They aid the body in combating pathogens by either killing them directly or hindering their replication processes. Four main types of antimicrobial substances are interferons, the complement system, iron-binding proteins, and antimicrobial proteins.
Interferons
Interferons (IFNs) are proteins produced by lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts infected with viruses. While IFNs cannot prevent viruses from entering and...
942
Surface Membrane Barriers01:18

Surface Membrane Barriers

The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
1.1K
Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens01:31

Defense Against Bacterial Pathogens

The human immune system is a complex network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to defend the body against bacterial infections. It consists of various immune cells, each playing a specific role in the defense mechanism.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes are the frontline soldiers of the immune system. They include neutrophils and macrophages. Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell and are quickly mobilized to the site of infection. Macrophages are larger cells that patrol...
1.4K
Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes01:26

Bacterial Phylum Planctomycetes

Planctomycetes are a group of morphologically distinct bacteria predominantly classified into two orders: Planctomycetales and Brocadiales. These gram-negative bacteria exhibit unique features, including division by budding and the presence of stalks or appendages. Their cells are often found in rosette arrangements, and they are notable for possessing an S-layer in their cell envelope, which is relatively uncommon among bacteria. Additionally, Planctomycetes frequently exhibit intracellular...
Antimicrobial Effectiveness01:28

Antimicrobial Effectiveness

The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
2