Plant Phenolics Inhibit Focal Adhesion Kinase and Suppress Host Cell Invasion by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli .

(UPEC), can avoid antibiotic exposure and many host defenses by invading the epithelial cells that line the bladder surface. Here we identified two plant-derived phenolic compounds that disrupt activation of the host machinery needed for UPEC entry into bladder cells. One of these compounds (resveratrol) effectively inhibited UPEC invasion of the bladder mucosa in a mouse UTI model, and both phenolic compounds significantly reduced host cell entry by other invasive pathogens. These findings suggest that select phenolic compounds can be used to supplement existing antibacterial therapeutics by denying uropathogens shelter within host cells and tissues, and help explain some of the benefits attributed to traditional plant-based medicines.