Antibacterial activity of baicalein against Aeromonas hydrophila: in vitro and in vivo evaluation

作者：Reng Qiu, Jun Li, Changjun Jiang, Yang Yu, Dandan Li, Xuehan Xie, Lei Yang, Lunguang Yao · 发表于：Frontiers in Microbiology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3389/fmicb.2025.1615029 · 被引用次数：13 · 研究领域：Flavonoids in Medical Research、Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies、Tannin, Tannase and Anticancer Activities

Introduction Aeromonas 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. Methods In 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. Results This 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 o...