Abstract:

n this paper, we have determined the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ethanol extracts from Houttuyniae cordata for staphylococcus aureus and hemolysis assay, western-blot, real-time RT-PCR and cytotoxicity assay were further employed to elucidate the antimicrobial activity of this extract against S. aureus and the influence of subinhibitory concentration of this extract on α-toxin production. The MICs of ethanol extracts from Houttuyniae cordata for 9 S. aureus strains were ranged from 16 to 64 mg/mL. Subinhibitory concentration of ethanol extracts from Houttuyniae cordata reduced the production of α-toxin by S. aureus in a dose-dependent manner. In particular, 0.16 mg/mL of ethanol extracts from Houttuyniae cordata completely suppresses the production of α-toxin. This study might provided a new strategy for anti-Staphylococcus aureus infection.