Exploiting the antivirulence efficacy of an ajoene-ciprofloxacin combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm associated murine acute pyelonephritis.

The study investigated thein vitro,ex vivoandin vivoefficacy of ajoene and ciprofloxacin (CIP) alone and in combination againstPseudomonas aeruginosabiofilms and biofilm-associated murine acute pyelonephritis. The ajoene–CIP combination exhibited significant greater (p< 0.05) antimotility and biofilm inhibitory effects than those obtained when they were applied individually. The combined action of the agents resulted in a significant increase in serum sensitivity and phagocytic uptake and killing ofP. aeruginosa(p< 0.001) compared to the untreated control. Mice groups treated with an ajoene (25 mg kg−1) and CIP (30 mg kg−1or 15 mg kg−1) combination showed a significantly (p< 0.001) reduced bacterial load in the kidney and bladder as compared to that of infected controls and mice treated with solo agents on the fifth day post-infection. The decreased levels of biomarkers and photomicrographs of the kidney tissue of the treated mice showed a reduced severity of damage. Hence, the study highlights the antivirulent and therapeutic efficacy of the ajoene-CIP combination at the minimal dosage of CIP. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]