Piceatannol enhances polymyxin B efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via inhibition of biofilm formation
- 1Qinghai Provincial Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Inspection Center
- 2College of Life Science and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering
Abstract
Introduction: Escherichia coli O157:H7 ( E. coli O157 ) poses a severe global health threat, particularly due to its ability to form recalcitrant biofilms and the paradoxical exacerbation of life‑threatening haemolytic uraemic syndrome by conventional antibiotics. This study identifies piceatannol as an effective agent that suppresses E. coli O157 biofilm formation in vitro and acts as an adjuvant to enhance antimicrobial efficacy.
Methods: The effects of piceatannol on biofilm formation, swarming motility, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) and protein production were evaluated in vitro . Pharmacological screening identified an effective combination with polymyxin B, which was validated in a murine infection model by assessing bacterial loads in visceral organs (liver and spleen), ileal villous morphology, and survival rates.
Results: Piceatannol suppressed biofilm formation by inhibiting swarming motility and reducing EPS and protein production, thereby weakening biofilm integrity and enhancing antimicrobial efficacy. In vivo , the piceatannol–polymyxin B combination reduced bacterial loads in visceral organs, restored ileal villous morphology, and improved survival more effectively than monotherapy.
Discussion: These findings establish piceatannol as an effective adjuvant that enhances polymyxin B efficacy against E. coli O157. By disrupting biofilm integrity and sensitizing bacteria to polymyxin B, the piceatannol–polymyxin B combination represents a promising strategy for treating E. coli O157 infections.
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BibTeX
@article{xu2026piceatannol,
title = {{Piceatannol enhances polymyxin B efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via inhibition of biofilm formation}},
author = {Jing Xu and Yaxin Zhou and Wenkui Bao and Zhanqing Ma and Zixuan Shang and Hongxing Zhang and Weiwei Wang and Bing Li and Yubin Bai and Jiyu Zhang},
journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1933569},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1933569/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Piceatannol enhances polymyxin B efficacy against Escherichia coli O157:H7 via inhibition of biofilm formation
AU - Jing Xu
AU - Yaxin Zhou
AU - Wenkui Bao
AU - Zhanqing Ma
AU - Zixuan Shang
AU - Hongxing Zhang
AU - Weiwei Wang
AU - Bing Li
AU - Yubin Bai
AU - Jiyu Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Frontiers in Microbiology
DO - 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1933569
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1933569/full
AB - Introduction: Escherichia coli O157:H7 ( E. coli O157 ) poses a severe global health threat, particularly due to its ability to form recalcitrant biofilms and the paradoxical exacerbation of life‑threatening haemolytic uraemic syndrome by conventional antibiotics. This study identifies piceatannol as an effective agent that suppresses E. coli O157 biofilm formation in vitro and acts as an adjuvant to enhance antimicrobial efficacy. Methods: The effects of piceatannol on biofilm formation, swarming motility, and exopolysaccharide (EPS) and protein production were evaluated in vitro . Pharmacological screening identified an effective combination with polymyxin B, which was validated in a murine infection model by assessing bacterial loads in visceral organs (liver and spleen), ileal villous morphology, and survival rates. Results: Piceatannol suppressed biofilm formation by inhibiting swarming motility and reducing EPS and protein production, thereby weakening biofilm integrity and enhancing antimicrobial efficacy. In vivo , the piceatannol–polymyxin B combination reduced bacterial loads in visceral organs, restored ileal villous morphology, and improved survival more effectively than monotherapy. Discussion: These findings establish piceatannol as an effective adjuvant that enhances polymyxin B efficacy against E. coli O157. By disrupting biofilm integrity and sensitizing bacteria to polymyxin B, the piceatannol–polymyxin B combination represents a promising strategy for treating E. coli O157 infections.
SN - 1664-302X
ER -