Photographs of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> grown in (RPMI) media for 24 hours, 37°C on test solids as indicated.

<p>Photographs of <i>C</i>. <i>albicans</i> grown in (RPMI) media for 24 hours, 37°C on test solids as indicated.</p

Atomic Force Microscope image of test surface consisting of 1 μm diameter silica spheres adhered to a PDMS solid.

<p>The entire sample is coated in a very thin layer of silica.</p

Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of films fabricated from the 1, 2, 4, and 8 μm diameter silica spheres.

<p>The small bridges between the particles are evident in the images of the 4 and 8 μm particles. These bridges, together with similar bridges to the solid, stabilize the film so that it is unaffected by exposure to a stirred solution, rinsing etc.</p

Serrulatane Diterpenoid from <i>Eremophila neglecta</i> Exhibits Bacterial Biofilm Dispersion and Inhibits Release of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines from Activated Macrophages

The purpose of this study was to assess the biofilm-removing efficacy and inflammatory activity of a serrulatane diterpenoid, 8-hydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid (<b>1</b>), isolated from the Australian medicinal plant <i>Eremophila neglecta.</i> Biofilm breakup activity of compound <b>1</b> on established <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilms was compared to the antiseptic chlorhexidine and antibiotic levofloxacin. In a time-course study, <b>1</b> was deposited onto polypropylene mesh to mimic a wound dressing and tested for biofilm removal. The <i>ex-vivo</i> cytotoxicity and effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release were studied in mouse primary bone-marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) cells. Compound <b>1</b> was effective in dispersing 12 h pre-established biofilms with a 7 log₁₀ reduction of viable bacterial cell counts, but was less active against 24 h biofilms (approximately 2 log₁₀ reduction). Compound-loaded mesh showed dosage-dependent biofilm-removing capability. In addition, compound <b>1</b> displayed a significant inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion from BMDM cells, but interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) secretion was not significant. The compound was not cytotoxic to BMDM cells at concentrations effective in removing biofilm and lowering cytokine release. These findings highlight the potential of this serrulatane diterpenoid to be further developed for applications in wound management