I am currently working on cytotoxicity of bacterial extract, the extract is already known to have a antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus from previous research. I am willing to know if both of those test (antibacterial and cytotoxicity) has any correlation ?
the extract itself only has Saponin as the secondary metabolite with simple phytochemical test.
The goal of antibiotic discovery is to find a substance that kills bacteria but not human cells at therapeutic concentrations. It is easy to find compounds that kill both (such as antiseptics), not so easy to find compounds that only kill bacteria. They generally work by a specific mechanism, such as inhibiting a biochemical pathway present in bacteria but not present, or substantially different, in human cells. Saponins are detergents. They dissolve membrane lipids, which does not distinguish between human and bacterial cells.
Well, why not, cytotoxicity will kill bacteria, so do some antibiotics.
You must determine LD50 of extract
May this dose antibactirial but is toxic
The goal of antibiotic discovery is to find a substance that kills bacteria but not human cells at therapeutic concentrations. It is easy to find compounds that kill both (such as antiseptics), not so easy to find compounds that only kill bacteria. They generally work by a specific mechanism, such as inhibiting a biochemical pathway present in bacteria but not present, or substantially different, in human cells. Saponins are detergents. They dissolve membrane lipids, which does not distinguish between human and bacterial cells.
Of course, they do have a relationship, higher cytotoxic activity indicated in the higher power to kill bacteria. The problem is if your extract shows highly cytotoxic to a mammalian normal cell line, that means it toxic to animal and human cells too.
LD50 must be determined first and if it is toxic . It will kill bacteria.
Cytotoxicity and bactericidicity.
Antibacterial compounds can be cytotoxic depending on the site of action. Even if it is better to have antibacterial compounds that are less cytotoxic (to human cells), cytotoxic compounds are generally antibacterial. But their usage will depended on their cytotoxic level.
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