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Author Spotlight: Exploring the Potential of Fat-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction for Wound Healing
Published on: November 17, 2023
Sanguinarine hydrogel accelerates wound healing in Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infections by suppressing biofilm
Jintong Liu1,2, Jiahui Wu1,2, Ting Zheng1,3
1State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Public Health and Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Aims:
Skin and ear infections are common in small animals, primarily caused by the opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus pseudintermedius. Staphylococcus pseudintermedius biofilms are associated with poor prognosis, and rising antibiotic resistance threatens public health, making the development of new antibacterial agents imperative. Sanguinarine (SAN) is a plant-derived alkaloid with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antitumour effects. The antibacterial potential of SAN against S. pseudintermedius merits further investigation.
Methods And Results:
The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of SAN hydrogel against clinically isolated S. pseudintermedius were determined as 1.25 and 5 mg mL-1, respectively. Phenol-sulfuric acid and XTT assays demonstrated that SAN hydrogel significantly delayed biofilm formation (P < 0.05) by suppressing exopolysaccharide synthesis and biofilm metabolic activity. Live/dead fluorescent staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed its potent disruptive effects on mature biofilms, inducing bacterial lysis and death, while reducing biofilm thickness and extracellular matrix. In a murine skin infection model, SAN hydrogel (2.5/5 mg mL-1) exhibited significant antibacterial efficacy (P < 0.001), accelerated wound healing, and reduced bacterial load (P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels (P < 0.0001) in skin tissues. No significant hepatorenal toxicity was observed within the tested concentration range.
Conclusion:
The SAN hydrogel demonstrates antimicrobial and bactericidal activities against S. pseudintermedius, effectively suppressing biofilm formation and holding promise as a therapeutic candidate for skin infections caused by this pathogen.
Insights
Sanguinarine (SAN) hydrogel shows potent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, a common cause of pet infections. This novel treatment effectively inhibits biofilms and promotes wound healing with minimal toxicity.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Skin and ear infections in small animals are frequently caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.
- Biofilm formation by this pathogen is linked to poor treatment outcomes, and increasing antibiotic resistance necessitates novel therapeutic strategies.
- Sanguinarine (SAN), a plant-derived alkaloid, possesses known antibacterial properties, making it a candidate for further investigation against S. pseudintermedius.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm efficacy of Sanguinarine (SAN) hydrogel against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.
- To assess the therapeutic potential of SAN hydrogel in a murine model of skin infection.
Main Methods:
- Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were performed.
- Biofilm formation was assessed using phenol-sulfuric acid and XTT assays.
- Mature biofilms were analyzed using live/dead staining and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Efficacy was evaluated in a murine skin infection model, assessing wound healing, bacterial load, and IL-6 levels.
Main Results:
- SAN hydrogel demonstrated MIC and MBC values of 1.25 and 5 mg/mL, respectively, against S. pseudintermedius.
- Significant inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of mature biofilms were observed (P < 0.05).
- In vivo studies showed accelerated wound healing, reduced bacterial load (P < 0.001), and decreased IL-6 levels (P < 0.0001) with no significant hepatorenal toxicity.
Conclusions:
- SAN hydrogel exhibits significant antimicrobial and bactericidal activity against S. pseudintermedius.
- The hydrogel effectively inhibits biofilm development and disrupts existing biofilms.
- SAN hydrogel shows promise as a therapeutic agent for treating S. pseudintermedius-induced skin infections in animals.

