Protocatechuic Acid as a Topical Antimicrobial for Surgical Skin Antisepsis: Preclinical Investigations

Authors

Omid Jalali
Molly Best
Alison Wong
Brett Schaeffer
Brendon Bauer
Lanny Johnson

Publication Date

1-1-2020

Journal

JBJS Open Access

DOI

10.2106/JBJS.OA.19.00079

PMID

32803102

PMCID

PMC7386545

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

6-26-2020

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Published Open-Access

yes

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There is a need for novel skin antiseptic agents to combat the health-care burdens associated with surgical site infection (SSI) and bacterial resistance. The purpose of this proof-of-principle pilot study was to investigate the potential of the phenolic compound protocatechuic acid (PCA) as a topical antimicrobial for surgical skin antisepsis.

METHODS: The Kirby-Bauer method of disc diffusion was used to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity and comparative effectiveness of PCA and 7 related compounds against SSI pathogens. To explore the in vivo efficacy of topical PCA for providing deep, penetrating skin antisepsis, living

RESULTS: Compared with other polyphenols, PCA demonstrated the broadest spectrum of antimicrobial activity against tested SSI pathogens, including drug-resistant organisms. At 96 hours following infection, the mean

CONCLUSIONS: PCA demonstrated laboratory efficacy against pathogens implicated in SSI, including drug-resistant organisms. In vivo, topical PCA demonstrated dose-dependent skin penetration and antimicrobial activity against mouse skin

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Topical PCA may have the potential to improve current shoulder SSI treatment and prevention protocols.