Combination of Epicatechin 3-Gallate from Euphorbia hirta and Cefepime Promotes Potential Synergistic Eradication Action against Resistant Clinical Isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Figure 3

Scanning electron micrographs of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (a) Untreated control cells seem to be healthily proliferating and appeared as rods with smooth cell surface which indicates intact cell wall and well-defined plasma membrane. ((b), (c), (d)) Treated P. aeruginosa cells by epicatechin 3-gallate compound for 4, 8, and 12 h. (b) Surface structure of P. aeruginosa cells appeared corrugated after 4 h of treatment, (c) punctures and dents observed on the cell surface signify membrane integrity disruption over 8 h of treatment, and (d) excessive leakage of cellular contents ultimately led to total cell rupture after 12 h of treatment. Arrows indicate membrane rupture (holes) on the cells. ((e), (f)) Cells treated by cefepime for 4 and 12 h. (e) Extreme cell shrinkage with multiple punctures observed at 4 h of cefepime treatment. (f) Complete cell death achieved upon 8 h of cefepime exposure. (g) P. aeruginosa cells treated with epicatechin 3-gallate and cefepime combination at 4 h. Absolute cell lysis attained within 4 h of combination regimen.

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