PMID:
J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2019 Oct 14. Epub 2019 Oct 14. PMID: 31622683
Abstract Title:
Curcumin: A natural derivative with antibacterial activity against Clostridium difficile.
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The rapid emergence of hypervirulent C. difficile isolates and the paucity of effective anticlostridial antibiotics call for extensive research to identify new treatment options. The objective of the present study was to test the anticlostridial activity of bioactive extracts of turmeric, a natural herb widely known for its profound medicinal properties.METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations of turmeric derivatives were determined against 27 C. difficile strains, including hypervirulent (BI/NAP1/027) and clinical toxigenic isolates. Additionally, their ability to inhibit C. difficile toxin production and spore formation was investigated. Furthermore, the safety profiles of turmeric derivatives regarding their effects on human gut microflora, such as Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium was evaluated.RESULTS: Curcuminoids, the major phytoconstituents of turmeric including curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, and bisdemethoxycurcumin inhibit growth of C. difficile at concentrations ranging from 4 to 32 µg/ml. Additionally, curcuminoids showed no negative effect on major populating species of the human gut. Curcumin was more effective than fidaxomicin in inhibiting C. difficile toxin production, but less so in inhibiting spore formation.CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that curcumin has potential as an anticlostridial agent. More work is needed to further investigate the efficacy of curcumin as a standalone drug or as a supplement of current drugs of choice, as it has no antagonistic activities but might overcome their drawbacks.
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