Flavonoid Mixture Inhibits <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> Survival and Infectivity
Ruoqiong Cao,
Garrett Teskey,
Hicret Islamoglu,
Myra Gutierrez,
Oscar Salaiz,
Shalok Munjal,
Marcel P. Fraix,
Airani Sathananthan,
David C. Nieman,
Vishwanath Venketaraman
Affiliations
Ruoqiong Cao
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Garrett Teskey
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Hicret Islamoglu
Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Myra Gutierrez
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Oscar Salaiz
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Shalok Munjal
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Marcel P. Fraix
Departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine/Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Airani Sathananthan
Department of Internal Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
David C. Nieman
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Appalachian State University, North Carolina Research Campus, Kannapolis, NC 28081, USA
Vishwanath Venketaraman
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766-1854, USA
Background: Flavonoids have been shown to exert anti-pathogenic potential, but few studies have investigated their effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infectivity. We hypothesized that a flavonoid mixture would have a favorable influence on cell death and the resolution of Mtb infection in THP-1 macrophages and in granulomas derived from both healthy participants and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS: THP-1 macrophages, and in vitro granulomas from healthy participants (N = 8) and individuals with T2DM (N = 5) were infected with Mtb. A mixed flavonoid supplement (MFS) at a concentration of 0.69 mg per ml was added as treatment to Mtb infected THP-1 macrophages and granulomas for 8 to 15 days. RESULTS: MFS treatment significantly reduced the intracellular Mtb survival, increased cell density, aggregation, and granuloma formation, and increased glutathione (GSH) levels. IL-12 and IFN-γ levels tended to be higher and IL-10 lower when Mtb infected THP-1 macrophages and granulomas obtained from healthy subjects were treated with MFS compared to control. CONCLUSIONS: MFS treatment exerted a strong influence against Mtb infectivity in THP-1 macrophages and in granulomas including antimycobacterial effects, GSH enrichment, cytokine regulation, and augmented granuloma formation. Our data support the strategy of increased flavonoid intake for managing tuberculosis.
