Effects of baicalin on Enterococcus faecalis growth and on gene expression of its virulence factors

AIM: To investigate the effect of baicalin on Enterococcus faecalis( E. faecalis) biofilm growth and on the expression of its virulence genes Asa1,EfaA and ebpA. METHODS: Enterococcus faecalis biofilm was grown on 6 well culture plate. E. faecalis biofilm was exposed to different concentrations of baicalin solution for 24 h,then bacterial growth was observed by confocal laser scanning microscope( CLSM). The mRNA expression of virulence genes Asa1,EfaA and ebpA was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: CLSM results showed that baicalin decreased the vitality of E. faecalis in the biofilm. RT-PCR results showed that 8 mg /mL of baicalin inhibited the mRNA expression of Asa1,EfaA and ebpA. CONCLUSION: Baicalin can inhibit Enterococcus faecalis biofilm growth,as well as the mRNA expression of Asa1,EfaA and ebpA.