Complex standard formulation as an example for synergism and improved antibacterial activity against uropathogenic Escherichia coli for urinary tract infections.

Abstract

For the treatment of urinary tract infections mixtures of different herbal materials are frequently used within traditional clinical practice. A complex formulation, widely used in Germany for preparation of aqueous extracts, with Betula sp., Agropyron repens, Solidago gigantea, and Ononis spinosa was infused as a mixture from all four components (combined extract). In addition, the four herbs were extracted separately and the extracts were mixed subsequently (separate extract). None of the extracts influenced proliferation of UPEC-UTI89 and cell viability of T24 bladder cells. The combined extract significantly reduced activity of type-1 fimbriae of UPEC CFT073. This effect was not observed for the mixture of the separately extracted herbs. Systematic investigation of the combined extract and binary mixtures by LC-MS and bioassays indicated that a series of malonylated dammarane triterpenes from Betula spp. leaves was extracted in the presence of Solidago sp.These dammaranes are responsible for the antiadhesive effect. The combined extract of Betula sp. and Solidago gigantea BSC as well as a dammarane-enhanced fraction DEF showed significant antiadhesive effects in a 2D-adhesion assay as well as in3-dimensional RT4- bladder cell spheroids. RT-qPCR of UTI89 incubated with DEF indicated downregulation of fimC, fimD, and fimH with impact on chaperone-usher-system and correct pili formation. Increased expression of motility gene fliC indicates a switch from static to motile life style. S-fimbrial gene sfaG was significantly down-regulated, but this did not result in phenotypic changes. Based on an improved extraction of birch leave constituents, data rationalize the importance of combinations of herbal drugs.