Antibacterial Activity of Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids against Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract

New compounds are needed to treat acne and superficial infections caused by Propionibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus aureus due to the reduced effectiveness of agents used at present. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) are attracting attention as potential new topical treatments for Gram-positive infections due to their antimicrobial potency and anti-inflammatory properties. This present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of six LC-PUFAs against P. acnes and S. aureus to evaluate their potential to treat infections caused by these pathogens. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined against P. acnes and S. aureus, and the LC-PUFAs were found to inhibit bacterial growth at 32–1024 mg/L. Generally, P. acnes was more susceptible to the growth inhibitory actions of LC-PUFAs, but these compounds were bactericidal only for S. aureus. This is the first report of antibacterial activity attributed to 15-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (15-OHEPA) and 15-hydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (HETrE), while the anti-P. acnes effects of the six LC-PUFAs used herein are novel observations. During exposure to the LC-PUFAs, S. aureus cells were killed within 15–30 min. Checkerboard assays demonstrated that the LC-PUFAs did not antagonise the antimicrobial potency of clinical agents used presently against P. acnes and S. aureus. However, importantly, synergistic interactions against S. aureus were detected for combinations of benzoyl peroxide with 15-OHEPA, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) and HETrE; and neomycin with 15-OHEPA, DGLA, eicosapentaenoic acid, γ-linolenic acid and HETrE. In conclusion, LC-PUFAs warrant further evaluation as possible new agents to treat skin infections caused by P. acnes and S. aureus, especially in synergistic combinations with antimicrobial agents already used clinically.

Molecular characterization of ESBL gene in Citrobacter spp. and antibacterial activity of omega-3 against resistant isolates

“…Linolenic acid and other compound of essential fatty acids (EFAs) have been assessed as possible new agents for treating skin infections caused by P. acnes and S. aureus [10]. Of note, several studies have confirmed the successful use of USFA against S. aureus, Pseudomonas spp.…”

Antimicrobial Activity of Donkey Milk against Dermatomycotic Fungi and Foodborne Bacteria

“…Longchain polyunsaturated fatty acids are attracting attention as potential new topical treatments for Gram-positive infections due to their antimicrobial potency and anti-inflammatory properties. It has been found that S. aureus cells were killed within 15-30 min during exposure to the Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [36], [37]. In addition it was demonstrated that fatty acid and monoglycerides with 8-12 carbons were more strongly antiviral and antibacterial when added to milk and infant formula than long chain monoglycerides [38].…”

“…The essential fatty acids (linoleic and linolenic acids) were the most represented components of the poly-unsaturated fatty acids class in donkey's milk [27] showing higher values than human milk and that of the other animal species. So, donkey's milk can be considered a functional food for human nutrition and its potential utilization for infant nutrition as well as adult diets, particular for the elderly [26], [36].…”

Fatty Acids Profile of Coffea arabica L. Resistant to Leaf Rust Grown in Two Environments of Minas Gerais, Brazil

“…It is widely found in plants (Guil-Guerreiro, 2000;Knothe, 2013;Tso et al, 2013;Rojo et al, 2010). Some researchers have shown through the microbiologic analysis, that the gamma linolenic acid beyond its healing and nutritional characteristics, this fatty acid also shows antimicrobial characteristic (Desbois & Lawlor, 2013;Clement et al, 2008;Giamarellos-Bourboulis et al, 2004;Ramadan et al, 2008).…”