The impact of ethanol extract of propolis on biofilm forming by Proteus Mirabilis strains isolated from chronic wounds infections

Abstract

Alcoholic propolis extracts may be used to eliminate microbes in mucous membranes and skin inflammations and in wound infections. The aim of this study was an assessment of the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) activity against biofilm formation by P. mirabilis. Six clinical strains of P. mirabilis isolated from patients with chronic wound infection, and one reference strain of P. mirabilis ATCC 29906 were used. Biofilm was formed in 96-well plate. In order to evaluate the effect of EEP at a concentration range of 1.56–100 mg/mL on the forming and mature biofilm, P. mirabilis cells were released by sonication. In this study the effectiveness of 25–100 mg/mL of EEP on the forming P. mirabilis biofilm and concentrations of 25–50 mg/mL of EEP on formed biofilm has been demonstrated. Our results suggest the possibility of using the EEP in treatment of chronic wound infection caused by P. mirabilis.

Keywords:

• Apitherapy
• biofilm
• propolis
• Proteus mirabilis
• wound healing