Glycyrrhetinic acid protects mice from Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia

In the present study, the antimicrobial activity of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) against Staphylococcus aureus, and its influence on the production of S. aureus alpha-haemolysin (Hla) were investigated, along with the in vivo activity of GA against S. aureus-induced pneumonia. GA could not inhibit the growth of S. aureus, but the secretion of Hla by S. aureus was significantly inhibited by low concentrations of GA in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, in vivo data show that GA provides protection against staphylococcal pneumonia in a murine model system.

Glycyrrhetinic acid dose-dependently reduces the production of alpha-haemolysin by Staphylococcus aureus, and thereby alleviates lung injury caused by S. aureus pneumonia.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (268 K)Download as PowerPoint slide