Effect of Curcumin AgainstProteus mirabilisDuring Crystallization of Struvite from Artificial Urine

Abstract

We investigated the activity of curcumin againstProteus mirabilisand the struvite crystallization in relation to urinary stones formation. In order to evaluate an activity of curcumin we performed anin vitroexperiment of struvite growth from artificial urine. The crystallization process was induced byProteus mirabilisto mimic the real urinary tract infection, which usually leads to urinary stone formation. The results demonstrate that curcumin exhibits the effect againstProteus mirabilisinhibiting the activity of urease—an enzyme produced by these microorganisms. Addition of curcumin increases the induction time and decreases the efficiency of growth of struvite compared with the absence of curcumin. Interestingly, the addition of curcumin does not affect the crystal morphology and habit. In conclusion, curcumin has demonstrated its significant potential to be further investigated for its use in the case of struvite crystallization induced for the growth byProteus mirabilisin relation to urinary stone formation.