| Abstract |
Crocodylus siamensis is a small freshwater crocodilian. In the wild, crocodiles live in environments with high risk of bacterial infection, but they normally suffer no adverse effects. Even though the immune system of crocodiles has not been well characterized, it was believed that the powerful innate immunity of crocodiles was derived from their blood, especially plasma. In the present study, we have examined both antibacterial and antioxidant properties of C. siamensis plasma by comparing those activities with human plasma. In terms of antibacterial properties, broth dilution assay revealed that C. siamensis plasma had significantly higher potent effect on Staphylococcus spp. than human plasma. At a concentration of 1000 g/ml, the percentage of S. aureus ATCC 25923 inhibition of C. siamensis plasma was determined as 97%, while 60% inhibition was observed in human plasma. In addition, 1,000 g/ml C. siamensis plasma strongly inhibited growth of bacterial drug-resistant strain (methicillin-resistant S. aureus DMST 20652 (MRSA)) with the percentage of inhibition at 99%. However, 1,000 g/ml human plasma was able to inhibit growth of S. aureus (MRSA) by only 60%. To investigate antioxidant activity, an ABTS assay was performed, which revealed the ability of crocodile plasma to possess antioxidant activity higher than human plasma. Our data directly indicates that C. siamensis plasma is potentially useful as a pharmaceutical agent against disease. |
Publication
Journal Publication
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