In Vitro Antistaphylococcal Effects of Embelia schimperi Extracts and Their Component Embelin with Oxacillin and Tetracycline.

Johana Rondevaldova,Ladislav Kokoska,Olga Leuner,Ermias Lulekal,Patrick Van Damme,Jaroslav Havlik,Alemtshay Teka

doi:10.1155/2015/175983

Abstract

Bacterial infections are in less-developed countries traditionally treated by remedies prepared from medicinal plants. Embelia schimperi (Vatke) is a plant used as a taenicide or disinfectant in Ethiopia, very often taken mixed with another plant species. In the present study, we examined two extracts prepared from seeds and twigs with leaves of E. schimperi and its main present secondary metabolite embelin for their antibacterial combinatory effect with oxacillin and tetracycline against sensitive and resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined through the broth microdilution method, whereas the combinatory effect was evaluated through fractional inhibitory concentration sum (ΣFIC) indices. Results show many positive interactions and synergy occurring in embelin and oxacillin combinations against 4 out of 9 strains (ΣFIC 0.203–0.477) and for embelin and tetracycline combination against 3 out of 9 strains (ΣFIC 0.400–0.496). Moreover, the resistance to oxacillin has been overcome in 2 strains and to tetracycline in 3 strains. According to our knowledge, this is the first study showing antimicrobial combinatory effect of E. schimperi as well as of embelin. These findings can be used for the further research targeted on the development of new antistaphylococcal agents.

Highlights

IntroductionStaphylococcus aureus (sometimes called golden staph) is one of the most serious human pathogens, responsible for dangerous community- and hospital-acquired infections
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most serious human pathogens, responsible for dangerous community- and hospital-acquired infections
In vitro antibacterial activity of E. schimperi had previously been examined in our laboratory showing the strongest antimicrobial effect in comparison with other plants used in Ethiopian folk medicine for treatment of infectious diseases [9]

Summary

Introduction

Staphylococcus aureus (sometimes called golden staph) is one of the most serious human pathogens, responsible for dangerous community- and hospital-acquired infections. Most of its strains are resistant to β-lactams as well as to other classes of antibiotics, such as tetracyclines [1]. Mortality and morbidity associated with S. aureus infections in lessdeveloped countries far exceed those occurring in developed ones, staphylococcal diseases in low-income countries are still perceived as trivial in comparison with other infections, such as malaria or HIV [2]. Even though common antibiotics can still manage this pathogen, many of them are no longer effective against majority of staphylococcal strains (such as penicillin or tetracycline). Spread of antibiotic resistant strains has become an important public health problem worldwide [3]. It is crucial to use new strategies to overcome complications in the treatment of staphylococcal

Methods

Results

Conclusion