Methods for microbial biofilm destruction

Abstract

Compositions and methods for the dissolution of a microbial biofilm are provided, where the method comprises contacting a microbiofilm with an effective dose of a curcumin derivative as a biofilm inhibitor. In some embodiments the curcumin derivative is dimethoxycurcumin. In some embodiments the biofilm comprises E. coli , e.g. including uropathogenic E. coli . The biofilm can be present in vitro or in vivo. The biofilm inhibitor may be administered alone, or in combination with bacteriocidal agents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting microbial biofilm maintenance or formation, the method comprising:
 contacting microbes involved in said biofilm formation or maintenance with an effective dose of a curcumin derivative.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curcumin derivative is dimethoxycurcumin. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the effective dose provides for a concentration at the biofilm site of from about 0.01 μM to about 10 mM. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biofilm is present in vitro. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said biofilm is present in vivo. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biofilm comprises  E. coli.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the biofilm comprises uropathogenic or enterohemorrhagic microorganisms. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the biofilm comprises uropathogenic  E. coli.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein an effective daily dose ranges from about 0.5 mg to about 500 g. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising contacting microbes involved in said biofilm formation or maintenance with an effective dose of a bactericidal agent in combination with said curcumin derivative. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the curcumin derivative inhibits biofilm extracellularly. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the biofilm is present in a human individual. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the individual suffers from a urinary infection associated with a biofilm producing microorganism. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the urinary infection is a catheter-associated urinary tract infection.