Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation
IntroductionAeromonas hydrophila (AH) is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in aquatic organisms, particularly in fish products. Baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antibacte...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1615029/full |
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| author | Reng Qiu Jun Li Changjun Jiang Yang Yu Dandan Li Xuehan Xie Yang Lei Lunguang Yao |
| author_facet | Reng Qiu Jun Li Changjun Jiang Yang Yu Dandan Li Xuehan Xie Yang Lei Lunguang Yao |
| author_sort | Reng Qiu |
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| description | IntroductionAeromonas hydrophila (AH) is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in aquatic organisms, particularly in fish products. Baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects.MethodsIn vitro, the Oxford cup method was employed to assess the antibacterial activity of baicalein, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the microtiter broth dilution technique. Biofilm formation and bacterial motility were evaluated through the crystal violet assay and swimming assay, respectively. The impact of baicalein on bacterial membrane permeability and morphology was observed using the Live/Dead BacLight kit and transmission electron microscopy. In vivo, grass carp were used as the model organism to evaluate the effect of baicalein on AH proliferation, while the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant factors was quantified by qRT-PCR.ResultsThis study demonstrated the antibacterial activity of baicalein against AH infection. Baicalein exhibited bacteriostatic effects in vitro, with an MIC of 40 μg/mL and an MBC of 80 μg/mL. Time-kill assays confirmed its bactericidal properties. Additionally, baicalein inhibited biofilm formation and reduced bacterial motility. The antibacterial mechanism of baicalein involved increased membrane permeability and structural disruption of AH cells. In vivo studies in grass carp revealed a dose-dependent reduction in AH burden following baicalein administration. Moreover, baicalein suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while enhancing the expression of antioxidant-related genes, such as catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These findings indicate that the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of baicalein contribute to its protective role against AH infection in vivo.DiscussionBaicalein effectively inhibits the proliferation of AH both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its potential as a promising pharmacotherapeutic agent for the prevention of AH infections in fish. |
| format | Article |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-687ca2714376428f85b69afd9e80a97c2025-07-14T05:25:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Microbiology1664-302X2025-07-011610.3389/fmicb.2025.16150291615029Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluationReng Qiu0Jun Li1Changjun Jiang2Yang Yu3Dandan Li4Xuehan Xie5Yang Lei6Lunguang Yao7Henan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Henan Field Observation and Research Station of Headwork Wetland Ecosystem of the Central Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project, College of Water Resources and Modern Agriculture, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, ChinaSchool of Biological Sciences, Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, MI, United StatesHenan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, College of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, College of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, College of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, College of Life Science, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, ChinaAquatic Life Epidemic Prevention Center of Huidong, Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Huidong, Huizhou, ChinaHenan Key Laboratory of Insect Biology in Funiu Mountain, Collaborative Innovation Center of Water Security for Water Source Region of Mid-route Project of South-North Water Diversion of Henan Province, Nanyang Normal University, Nanyang, Henan, ChinaIntroductionAeromonas hydrophila (AH) is a pathogenic bacterium commonly found in aquatic organisms, particularly in fish products. Baicalein, a bioactive flavonoid derived from traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possesses a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory effects.MethodsIn vitro, the Oxford cup method was employed to assess the antibacterial activity of baicalein, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined using the microtiter broth dilution technique. Biofilm formation and bacterial motility were evaluated through the crystal violet assay and swimming assay, respectively. The impact of baicalein on bacterial membrane permeability and morphology was observed using the Live/Dead BacLight kit and transmission electron microscopy. In vivo, grass carp were used as the model organism to evaluate the effect of baicalein on AH proliferation, while the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and antioxidant factors was quantified by qRT-PCR.ResultsThis study demonstrated the antibacterial activity of baicalein against AH infection. Baicalein exhibited bacteriostatic effects in vitro, with an MIC of 40 μg/mL and an MBC of 80 μg/mL. Time-kill assays confirmed its bactericidal properties. Additionally, baicalein inhibited biofilm formation and reduced bacterial motility. The antibacterial mechanism of baicalein involved increased membrane permeability and structural disruption of AH cells. In vivo studies in grass carp revealed a dose-dependent reduction in AH burden following baicalein administration. Moreover, baicalein suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), while enhancing the expression of antioxidant-related genes, such as catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and superoxide dismutase (SOD). These findings indicate that the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of baicalein contribute to its protective role against AH infection in vivo.DiscussionBaicalein effectively inhibits the proliferation of AH both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting its potential as a promising pharmacotherapeutic agent for the prevention of AH infections in fish.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1615029/fullbaicaleinAeromonas hydrophilaantibacterialbiofilmgrass carp |
| spellingShingle | Reng Qiu Jun Li Changjun Jiang Yang Yu Dandan Li Xuehan Xie Yang Lei Lunguang Yao Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation Frontiers in Microbiology baicalein Aeromonas hydrophila antibacterial biofilm grass carp |
| title | Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| title_full | Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| title_fullStr | Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| title_short | Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| title_sort | antibacterial activity of baicalein against aeromonas hydrophila in vitro and in vivo evaluation |
| topic | baicalein Aeromonas hydrophila antibacterial biofilm grass carp |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1615029/full |
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