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Antibacterial activity of the soy isoflavone genistein
Author(s) -
Hong Hyunki,
Landauer Michael R.,
Foriska Mark A.,
Ledney G. David
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of basic microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.58
H-Index - 54
eISSN - 1521-4028
pISSN - 0233-111X
DOI - 10.1002/jobm.200510073
Subject(s) - genistein , microbiology and biotechnology , lactobacillus reuteri , antimicrobial , bacteria , klebsiella pneumoniae , biology , staphylococcus aureus , pathogenic bacteria , probiotic , escherichia coli , biochemistry , genetics , gene , endocrinology
Genistein, a radioprotective soy isoflavone and protein kinase inhibitor, blocks the invasion of pathogenic bacteria in mammalian epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct effect of genistein on the survival and growth of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri and selected opportunistic bacteria in vitro as a prelude to in vivo use for managing postirradiation sepsis. We evaluated the opportunistic bacterial enteropathogens Escherichia coli , Shigella sonnei , and Staphylococcus aureus as well as Klebsiella pneumoniae and the non‐pathogenic organism, Bacillus anthracis (Sterne). The latter two bacteria are found in the environment and may be of concern in irradiated individuals. A standard in vitro test was employed to evaluate the direct effect of genistein on the bacteria. This test involved determining bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) counts at a single concentration of genistein. In the CFU assays, significant reductions in CFUs were found for S. aureus and B. anthracis when cultured in the presence of 100 μM genistein. However, L. reuteri , E. coli , S. sonnei , and K. pneumoniae were not altered by in vitro culturing in the presence of 100 μM genistein. These results demonstrate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of genistein. Furthermore, the use of genistein in combination with probiotics may augment the effectiveness of antimicrobial therapies currently used in the management of infections, including those induced by ionizing irradiation. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)