Abstract
The chemical composition of Lebanese Hypericum scabrum essential oil (EO) was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GG-MS). Its antimicrobial activity was evaluated by determining its minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against a Gram-negative and a Gram-positive bacterium, one yeast, and five dermatophytes. H. scabrum EO was most active on filamentous fungi (MIC values of 32–64 µg/mL). Synergy within the oil was investigated by testing each of the following major components on Trichophyton rubrum: α-pinene, limonene, myrcene, β-pinene and nonane, as well as a reconstructed EO. The antifungal activity of the natural oil could not be reached, meaning that its activity might be due, in part, to minor constituent(s). The interactions between H. scabrum EO and commercially available antifungals were assessed by the checkerboard test. A synergistic effect was revealed in the combination of the EO with amphotericin B.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance is jeopardizing public health, and is turning into an urgent global concern
Resistance occurrence is the result of random genetic events, such as mutations and horizontal gene transfers that enable microbial genomes to evolve [1], while its persistence and spread in the ecosystem is favored by the selective pressure of antimicrobial agents [2,3]
One approach to avoid the emergence of resistant strains is combination therapy that consists of associating several antimicrobial agents
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance is jeopardizing public health, and is turning into an urgent global concern. Resistance is less likely to develop [4]. Such associations could be used to improve the therapy efficiency when they result in synergistic effects. Another advantage of such combinations is that lower doses are used [5], reducing the side effects and cost of the treatment [6]. In this field, associations between plant essential oils and classic antimicrobials have proven their efficiency [7,8]
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