Epigallocatechin gallate has antibacterial and antibiofilm activity in methicillin resistant and susceptible Staphylococcus aureus of different lineages in non-cytotoxic concentrations

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic agent that can cause a variety of infections, both hospital and community-acquired. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a flavonoid present in the leaves of Camellia sinensis, has different biological activities, including antimicrobial potential. Here we evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm potential of EGCG in nine clinical strains of S. aureus with different genetic profile and antimicrobial susceptibilities. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of EGCG ranged from 7.81 to 62.5 μg/mL, and bactericidal activity was observed at 4 times the MIC. Sub-inhibitory concentrations were able to inhibit biofilm production. Concentrations ≤62.5 μg/mL of EGCG were non-cytotoxic for murine macrophages. EGCG significantly reduced the mortality of infected Galleria mellonella larvae with the S. aureus, having shown relevant antibiofilm properties and efficacy in inhibiting the growth of different clinical isolates of S. aureus, thus being a promising substance for the treatment of infections caused by this agent.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Antibacterial
• antibiofilm
• epigallocatechin gallate
• Staphylococcus aureus

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partly financed by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) – Financing Code 001, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Espírito Santo (FAPES) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq).