Open AccessApigenin alleviates the symptoms of S taphylococcus aureus pneumonia by inhibiting the production of alpha‐hemolysin
Author(s) -
Dong Jing,
Qiu Jiazhang,
Wang Jianfeng,
Li Hongen,
Dai Xiaohan,
Zhang Yu,
Wang Xin,
Tan Wei,
Niu Xiaodi,
Deng Xuming,
Zhao Shuhua
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/1574-6968.12040
Subject(s) - staphylococcus aureus , microbiology and biotechnology , hemolysin , antimicrobial , pneumonia , leukocidin , antibiotics , apigenin , pathogen , bronchoalveolar lavage , human pathogen , biology , virulence , methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus , bacteria , medicine , lung , biochemistry , genetics , gene , flavonoid , antioxidant
Abstract S taphylococcus aureus is a common human pathogenic bacteria that can cause serious infections, including lethal staphylococcal pneumonia. The development of antimicrobial resistance has limited treatment options for this pathogen; consequently, novel antibiotics and strategies are urgently desired to combat these infections. In recent years, virulence factors secreted by pathogenic microorganisms have been developed as targets for drug discovery. Alpha‐hemolysin, a pore‐forming cytotoxin that is secreted by most S . aureus strains, is essential for the pathogenesis of S . aureus pneumonia. In this study, we report that apigenin, a compound extracted from parsley that has no antimicrobial activity vs. S . aureus in vitro , can remarkably decrease the production of α‐hemolysin at low concentrations. When added to the A 549 cells and S . aureus co‐culture system, apigenin protected A 549 cells from α‐hemolysin‐mediated injury. Furthermore, in vivo tests indicated that apigenin alleviated injury of the lung tissue and decreased cytokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the mouse model of S . aureus pneumonia.