Ginseng as an anti-bacterial agent against P. aeruginosa

描述(申请人提供)：这笔赠款的主要目的是增加我们对人参作为抗菌剂在慢性肺部感染中的作用的了解，铜绿假单胞菌是囊性纤维化患者发病和死亡的最常见原因。虽然抗生素治疗主要使用氨基糖苷类和β-内酰胺类抗生素的混合物来对抗感染，但由于产生藻酸盐的铜绿假单胞菌分离株的出现，治疗经常失败。藻酸盐过量生产的遗传和分子机制已被详细阐明。然而，可能的治疗干预措施一直难以捉摸。最近使用动物模型(稍后详细描述)进行的研究表明，人参可能在增强免疫反应和细菌清除方面发挥作用。本研究提出利用遗传学和分子生物学技术，系统分析人参对铜绿假单胞菌的抗菌作用。具体地说，这项研究将调查以下内容： 人参提取物的分析。 确定人参在体外是否调节(下调或上调)藻酸盐基因。 鉴定受人参调控的新基因。 如果我们想要推广这种替代疗法或辅助疗法，了解人参的作用机制将是一个关键因素。这对于设计有效的抗假单胞菌治疗和根除CF患者中铜绿假单胞菌感染引起的并发症至关重要。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The main intention of this grant is to increase our understanding of the effect of ginseng as an anti-bacterial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pathogenesis in chronic lung infection the most common cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Although antibiotic therapy, mostly with a mixture of aminoglycoside and Beta-lactam antibiotics, is used to combat the infection, treatment often fails, owing to the emergence of alginate-producing P. aeruginosa isolates. The genetic and molecular mechanism of alginate overproduction has been elucidated in great detail. Yet, a possible therapeutic intervention has been elusive. Recent studies using animal models (described in detail later) have shown that ginseng might play a role in enhancing immune response and bacterial clearance. This research proposes to use genetic and molecular biological techniques to systematically analyze the effect of ginseng against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Specifically this research will investigate the following: I. Analysis of the ginseng extracts. II. Determine whether ginseng modulates (down- or up-regulates) the alginate genes in vitro. III. Identify novel genes that are modulated by ginseng. Understanding the mechanism of ginseng action would be a key factor if we want to promote this alternative or supplementary therapy. This is vital to devising efficient antipseudomonal therapy and eradicating complications resulting from P. aeruginosa infections among patients with CF.