Sodium houttuyfonate and EDTA-Na₂ in combination effectively inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo.

Sodium houttuyfonate (SH) has been found to be mildly anti-pathogenetic against the planktonic and biofilm phenotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here, we have attempted to investigate further the anti-pathogenicity of SH and EDTA-Na₂ in combination and in vitro and in vivo against planktonic and biofilm phenotypes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16 strains), Staphylococcus aureus (13 strains) and Candida albicans (13 strains). The antimicrobial activity of SH against all three pathogens increased dramatically when it was combined with EDTA-Na₂, in vitro. Toxic reactions to the drugs when administered orally were insignificant in mice; no abnormalities were observed in the internal organs, such as the lungs and kidneys. Finally, the results of in vivo studies indicate that SH could extend the lifespan of infected animals when administered in combination with EDTA-Na2. Therefore, the results of the present study lead us to suggest that SH could be a promising antimicrobial agent and that SH combined with EDTA-Na₂ has the potential to be an excellent choice of drug for combating bacterial infections clinically.