The main intention of this grant is to increase our understanding of the effect of ginseng as an anti-bacterial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis in chronic lung infection the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although antibiotic therapy, mostly with a mixture of aminoglycoside and Beta-lactam antibiotics, is used to combat the infection, treatment often fails, owing to the emergence of alginate-producing P. aeruginosa isolates. The genetic and molecular mechanism of alginate overproduction has been elucidated in great detail. Yet, a possible therapeutic intervention has been elusive. Recent studies using animal models (described in detail later) have shown that ginseng might play a role in enhancing immune response and bacterial clearance. This research proposes to use genetic and molecular biological techniques to systematically analyze the effect of ginseng against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Specifically this research will investigate the following: I. Analysis of the ginseng extracts. II. Determine whether ginseng modulates (down- or up-regulates) the alginate genes in vitro. III. Identify novel genes that are modulated by ginseng. Understanding the mechanism of ginseng action would be a key factor if we want to promote this alternative or supplementary therapy. This is vital to devising efficient antipseudomonal therapy and eradicating complications resulting from P. aeruginosa infections among patients with CF.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM)
Type
Academic Research Enhancement Awards (AREA) (R15)
Project #
5R15AT002626-02
Application #
7012779
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAT1-DB (15))
Program Officer
Pontzer, Carol H
Project Start
2005-02-01
Project End
2008-01-31
Budget Start
2006-02-01
Budget End
2007-01-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$68,600
Indirect Cost
Name
Florida International University
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
071298814
City
Miami
State
FL
Country
United States
Zip Code
33199
Malladi, Venkata L A; Sobczak, Adam J; Maricic, Natalie et al. (2011) Substituted lactam and cyclic azahemiacetals modulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing. Bioorg Med Chem 19:5500-6
Song, Z; Kong, K F; Wu, H et al. (2010) Panax ginseng has anti-infective activity against opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa by inhibiting quorum sensing, a bacterial communication process critical for establishing infection. Phytomedicine 17:1040-6
Mathee, Kalai; Narasimhan, Giri; Valdes, Camilo et al. (2008) Dynamics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa genome evolution. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105:3100-5
Adonizio, Allison; Kong, Kok-Fai; Mathee, Kalai (2008) Inhibition of quorum sensing-controlled virulence factor production in Pseudomonas aeruginosa by South Florida plant extracts. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 52:198-203
Adonizio, Allison; Leal Jr, Sixto M; Ausubel, Frederick M et al. (2008) Attenuation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence by medicinal plants in a Caenorhabditis elegans model system. J Med Microbiol 57:809-13