Evaluation of reticulated gelatin-hibiscus-propolis against intestinal commensal species commonly associated with urinary tract infections

Future Microbiol. 2017 May:12:505-513. doi: 10.2217/fmb-2016-0175. Epub 2017 Mar 3.

Abstract

Aim: Reticulated gelatin (RG), hibiscus and propolis (RGHP) is a medical device that can reduce the bacterial adherence to epithelial cultured cells and invasion by enteropathogens, thus gathering relevant properties to decrease the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs). We aimed at evaluating in Wistar rats the efficacy of RGHP, RG and vehicle against intestinal commensals commonly involved in UTIs.

Methods: Animals received orally (with supplemental Na2CO3): RGHP 1540 mg/day/rat; RG 500 mg/day/rat or vehicle.

Results: RGHP significantly reduced fecal Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp. levels without affecting other targeted Enterobacteriaceae. The antagonistic property of RGHP was confirmed in streptomycin-pretreated rats highly colonized with a human commensal E. coli strain with uropathogenic potential.

Conclusion: RGHP may decrease the risk of UTIs by reducing colonization by opportunistic uropathogens.

Keywords: Enterococcus; commensal Escherichia coli; fecal colonization; fecal opportunistic uropathogens; reticulated gelatin; urinary tract infections.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apitherapy
  • Bacterial Adhesion / drug effects
  • Enterobacteriaceae / drug effects*
  • Enterococcus / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Feces / microbiology
  • Female
  • Gelatin* / administration & dosage
  • Hibiscus*
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Phytotherapy
  • Propolis / administration & dosage*
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Streptomycin / administration & dosage
  • Symbiosis
  • Urinary Tract Infections / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology
  • Uropathogenic Escherichia coli / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Gelatin
  • Propolis
  • Streptomycin