Molecular effects and antibacterial activities of ginger extracts against some drug resistant pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

IN THIS study, the antibacterial activity of six types of ginger extracts was evaluated against drug resistant E. coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The impact of ginger methanol extract on the tested bacteria was studied at the molecular level via SDS-PAGE and RAPD-PCR methods. From the six types of ginger extracts, ginger methanol extract recorded a remarkable antimicrobial activity and the minimum inhibitory concentration was 0.7 mg/ml against all tested bacteria. The Gram positive bacteria showed more sensitivity to ginger methanol extract and lower growth rate pattern than the Gram negative bacteria. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of ginger methanol extract recorded the presence of steroids and flavonoids that are wide-range antimicrobial agents. From GC-MS results, sixteen compounds were identified with major compounds gingerol (30.56%), cis-6-shagol (21.61%), zingerone (8.22%) and 2,4-dimethyl- Benzo[h]quinolone (5.48%). The combination of ginger methanol extract with gentamycin or amoxicillin antibiotics improved its antibacterial activity. The biomarker assay detecting the protein changes based on SDS-PAGE profile and the genetic changes based on RAPD-PCR manipulation of ginger methanol extract manifested a polymorphic pattern when treated and untreated bacteria were compared. In conclusion, the application of ginger methanol extract increased the activity of gentamycin and amoxicillin antibiotics and because ginger methanol extract has effective and safe bioactive antimicrobial agent against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, it can be used as an alternative drug.