Abstract
The study aimed to analyze morphological and functional changes of Staphylococcus aureus cells due to trans-anethole (a terpenoid and the major constituent of fennel, anise, or star anise essential oils) exposition, and their consequences for human neutrophils phagocytic activity as well as IL-8 production (recognized as the major chemoattractant). The investigation included the evaluation of changes occurring in S. aureus cultures, i.e., staphyloxanthin production, antioxidant activities, cell size distribution, and cells composition as a result of incubation with trans-anethole. It was found that the presence of trans-anethole in the culture medium reduced the level of staphyloxanthin production, as well as decreased antioxidant activities. Furthermore, trans-anethole-treated cells were characterized by larger size and a tendency to diffuse in comparison to the non-treated cells. Several cell components, such as phospholipids and peptidoglycan, were found remarkably elevated in the cultures treated with trans-anethole. As a result of the aforementioned cellular changes, the bacteria were phagocytized by neutrophils more efficiently (ingestion and parameters associated with killing activity were at a higher level as compared to the control system). Additionally, IL-8 production was at a higher level for trans-anethole modified bacteria. Our results suggest that trans-anethole represents a promising measure in combating severe staphylococcal infections, which has an important translational potential for clinical applications.
Highlights
Staphylococcus aureus is recognized as an outstandingly significant human pathogen responsible for a spectrum of clinical conditions, including asymptomatic skin carriage, mild skin infections, severe systemic infections, and septic shock
The investigation showed that trans-anethole in the concentration of 49.4 mg/mL (MIC50—minimum inhibitory concentration required to inhibit the growth of 50% of microorganisms) presented the subinhibiting activity against S. aureus Newman strain
The results of antioxidant activities ((represented by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, reducing power (RP), and total polyphenolic content (TPC)) of the S. aureus Newman cells isolated from different growth media (A–C) presents Table 1
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus is recognized as an outstandingly significant human pathogen responsible for a spectrum of clinical conditions, including asymptomatic skin carriage, mild skin infections, severe systemic infections, and septic shock. Asymptomatic skin carriage and the potential to cause severe systemic infections poses critical threats for immunocompromised patients. These patients (e.g., oncologic and hemodialyzed patients) are often exposed to tissue damage associated with long-term vascular catheterization. Prolonged tissue damage increases the probability of wound infection due to asymptomatic S. aureus carriage. In this sense, it should be emphasized that S. aureus, as a pathogen of an outstanding clinical significance, is considered to possess a combination of such virulence factors. Special interest is directed to a triterpenoid carotenoid pigment to which the bacterium owes its major physical attribute, and subsequently the species name—a golden colony color
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