Combined action of cationic peptide protegrins and antiseptics on biofilms formed by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria

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Abstract

Background: The problems preventing successful treatment of recurrent infections are related to bacteria forming biofilms, which repeatedly increase microbe resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, the search for new anti-biofilm agents is an important issue. One of the most promising areas is the use of antimicrobial peptides.

Objective: To analyze the combined action of cationic antimicrobial peptide Protegrin-1 (PG-1) or Protegrin-2 (PG-2) with various antiseptics (Miramistin, Chlorhexidine, Povidone iodine, Dequalinium chloride, Prontosan wound irrigation solution (Prontosan solution)) used in the treatment of infections where the recurrent course is associated with biofilm formation.

Materials and methods: The antimicrobial activity against planktonic bacteria was determined using serial dilution method in liquid nutrient medium by chessboard titration to evaluate the co-activity. The antibiofilm activity was studied using crystal violet dye and viability marker, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride.

Results: Synergistic effects against planktonic forms of bacteria were observed when PG-1 or PG-2 were combined with Miramistin or Povidone iodine against Escherichia coli, and with Povidone iodine or Prontosan solution against Staphylococcus aureus. Synergism in inhibiting the viability of bacteria within the biofilm formed by Staphylococcus aureus was observed when PG-1 or PG-2 were used in combination with Dequalinium chloride, Povidone iodine and Prontosan solution. In most cases, the combination of protegrins and antiseptics had an additive or synergistic effect on both planktonic forms of bacteria and their biofilms.

Conclusion: The use of combined application of antimicrobial peptides PG-1 or PG-2 with antiseptics can be considered as a practical recommendation to improve the efficacy of medicines, cosmetics or medical devices containing protegrins. Their combined use with antiseptics will show a synergistic or additive effect on the development and destruction of biofilms formed by gram-positive, gram-negative bacteria.

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About the authors

Elizaveta V. Vladimirova

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-6576-9844

Researcher at the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Maria S. Sukhareva

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5351-7199

Researcher at the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Natalia I. Tapilskaya

D.O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5309-0087

Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Leading Researcher

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Aleksey S. Komlev

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9111-0755

Researcher at the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Nikolay A. Klimov

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5243-8085

PhD, Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Dmitriy S. Orlov

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2925-885X

PhD, Associate Professor, Head of the Laboratory of Design and Synthesis of Biologically Active Peptides

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Olga V. Shamova

Institute of Experimental Medicine

Author for correspondence.
Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5168-2801

Dr. Bio. Sci., Corresponding Member of RAS, Head of the Laboratory of Immunopathophysiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine

Russian Federation, St. Petersburg

Alexandr A. Yakovlev

Biotechfarm LLC

Email: oshamova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0000-3062-2159

Director for Medical Research

Russian Federation, Moscow

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