Thymol and carvacrol downregulate the expression of Salmonella typhimurium virulence genes. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Thymol and Carvacrol Downregulate the Expression ofVirulence Genes during an In Vitro Infection on Caco-2 Cells.
Microorganisms. 2020 Jun 7 ;8(6). Epub 2020 Jun 7. PMID: 32517327
Giulia Giovagnoni
is one of the major bacteria responsible for gastroenteritis in humans caused by foodborne pathogens. As pork is one of the main routes of transmission, bioactive compounds used as feed additives may be an important strategy to control. The aim of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of several organic acids and nature identical compounds againstATCC6994™. Moreover, the effect of sub-lethal concentrations of thymol and carvacrol in counteracting ain vitro infection on Caco-2 cells was evaluated, focusing on the maintenance of the epithelial barrier and the alteration ofvirulence genes. The results showed a protective effect of the compounds on the integrity of the intestinal monolayer, improving transepithelial electrical resistance and bacterial translocation compared to the non-treated cells. A real-time PCR study highlighted a significant downregulation of the main virulence genes of(,,,,,,,). These findings indicate that thymol and carvacrol could be good candidates for the control ofin pigs.