Natural Green coating inhibits adhesion of clinically important bacteria

Sci Rep. 2015 Feb 6:5:8287. doi: 10.1038/srep08287.

Abstract

Despite many advances, biomaterial-associated infections continue to be a major clinical problem. In order to minimize bacterial adhesion, material surface modifications are currently being investigated and natural products possess large potential for the design of innovative surface coatings. We report the bioguided phytochemical investigation of Pityrocarpa moniliformis and the characterization of tannins by mass spectrometry. It was demonstrated that B-type linked proanthocyanidins-coated surfaces, here termed Green coatings, reduced Gram-positive bacterial adhesion and supported mammalian cell spreading. The proposed mechanism of bacterial attachment inhibition is based on electrostatic repulsion, high hydrophilicity and the steric hindrance provided by the coating that blocks bacterium-substratum interactions. This work shows the applicability of a prototype Green-coated surface that aims to promote necessary mammalian tissue compatibility, while reducing bacterial colonization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Bacterial Adhesion / physiology*
  • Biofilms / drug effects
  • Biological Products / chemistry
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible / chemistry
  • Environmental Microbiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Fabaceae / chemistry
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / physiology
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Proanthocyanidins / chemistry
  • Proanthocyanidins / pharmacology
  • Surface Properties*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Coated Materials, Biocompatible
  • Plant Extracts
  • Proanthocyanidins
  • proanthocyanidin