The assessment of the antibacterial and antifungal activities of aspirin, EDTA and aspirin-EDTA combination and their effectiveness as antibiofilm agents

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the antimicrobial activities of aspirin, EDTA and an aspirin‐EDTA (A‐EDTA) combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in planktonic and biofilm cultures. Methods and Results: Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimal biocidal concentrations (MBC) were determined using twofold broth microdilution and viable counting methods, respectively. Aspirin’s recorded MIC values ranged from 1·2 to 2·7 mg ml−1. Checkerboard assay demonstrated a synergism in antimicrobial activity upon combination. Aspirin’s minimal biofilm eradication concentration values (MBEC) against the established biofilms ranged between 1·35 and 3·83 mg ml−1. A complete eradication of bacterial biofilms was achieved after a 4‐h treatment with the A‐EDTA combination. Conclusion: Both aspirin and EDTA possess broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity for both planktonic and biofilm cultures. Aspirin used at the MBEC for 24 h was successful in eradicating P. aeruginosa, E. coli and C. albicans biofilms established on abiotic surfaces. Moreover, the exposure to the A‐EDTA combination (4 h) effected complete bacterial biofilm eradication. Significance and Impact of the Study: There is a continuous need for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Aspirin and EDTA are ‘nonantibiotic drugs’, the combination of which can be used successfully to treat and eradicate biofilms established on abiotic surfaces.

Role of CSE1034 in Escherichia coli Biofilm Destruction

“…Earlier studies have shown that 50 mM EDTA disrupts the biofilm [21][22][23]. Contrary to these, we found that 10 mM EDTA disrupts the bacterial biofilm when tested alone; the concentration of EDTA used in our study was five times lower than previous study.…”

The Effects of Antimicrobials on Endodontic Biofilm Bacteria

“…Although EDTA is typically considered as a ''nonantibiotic'' agent and used in endodontics to remove the smear layer for improved sealing during root filling (21), recent studies have shown antimicrobial effects of EDTA against microorganisms in biofilms (22,23). Although the mode of action of EDTA in this respect is still not clarified, the chelating effect to calcium and iron may affect important metabolic pathways in the bacterial cell (24).…”

Residual and Antimicrobial Activity of Final Irrigation Protocols on Enterococcus Faecalis Biofilm in Dentin

“…Although EDTA is one of the most commonly used, its antimicrobial activity against biofilms is a matter of some controversy (9,11,15). Maleic acid (MA), a mild organic acid, has been more recently proposed for use as a final irrigating solution, as an alternative to EDTA (16), because of its better smear layer removal from the apical third of the root canal system (17) and its lower toxicity (16).…”