Abstract
The main objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of wild mushroom extracts to potentiate the action of standard antibiotics, through synergisms that allow a decrease in their therapeutic doses and ultimately contribute to the reduction of resistances. Wild mushroom extracts were applied to different multiresistant micro-organisms (Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) E. coli and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), combined with commercial antibiotics (penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazol, levofloxacin). Microdilution method was used to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). The results obtained showed higher synergistic effects against MRSA than against E. coli. Mycena rosea and Fistulina hepatica were the best extracts for synergistic effects against MRSA. The efficiency of Russula delica extract against E. coli 1 (resistant to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfasoxazole) and E. coli 2 (resistant to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and ampicillin) was higher than that of Leucopaxillus giganteus extract; nevertheless, the latter extract exhibited better synergistic effects against ESBL E. coli. This study shows that, similarly to plants, some mushroom extracts can potentiate the action of antibiotics extensively used in clinical practice for Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria, with positive action even against multiresistant bacteria. Mushroom extracts could decrease therapeutic doses of standard antibiotics and reduce micro-organism's resistance to those drugs.
Highlights
The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, among other factors, has been contributing for the development of resistant species (Andrade et al 2006)
The fight against multi-resistant bacteria is a worldwide problem of public health that should be considered in several aspects
Leucopaxillus giganteus, Mycena rosea, Russula delica and Sarcodon imbricatum extracts are good examples (Alves et al 2012b) and, in the present study, they were applied to different multi-resistant microorganisms (Escherichia coli, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), combined with commercial antibiotics (Penicillin, Ampicillin, Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Cefoxitin, Ciprofloxacin, Cotrimoxazol, Levofloxacin)
Summary
The indiscriminate use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, among other factors, has been contributing for the development of resistant species (Andrade et al 2006). Bacteria serve as host for multiple genetic elements like genes, integrons, transposons and plasmids that confer antibiotic resistance phenotypes They have the genetic ability to transmit and acquire resistance to drugs that are used as therapeutic agents (Santos et al 2011). Bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Extendedspectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli are microorganisms of concern with regard to multi-resistances (Calbo et al 2006; Donskey 2006; Chambers and Deleo 2009). The understanding of the molecular mechanisms of synergy would tackle a new strategy for the treatment of infectious diseases, overcome drug-resistant pathogens, and reduce the use of antibiotics and the side effects created by them (Hemaiswarya et al 2008)
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