In vitro antistaphylococcal effects of Embelia schimperi extracts and their component embelin with oxacillin and tetracyclin

Rondevaldova, J., Leuner, O., Teka, A., Lulekal, E., Havlik, J. , Van Damme, P. and Kokoska, L. (2015) In vitro antistaphylococcal effects of Embelia schimperi extracts and their component embelin with oxacillin and tetracyclin. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2015, 175983. (doi: 10.1155/2015/175983) (PMID:25802535) (PMCID:PMC4352930)

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.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Havlik, Dr Jaroslav
• Authors: Rondevaldova, J., Leuner, O., Teka, A., Lulekal, E., Havlik, J., Van Damme, P., and Kokoska, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Journal Name: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• Publisher: Hindawi
• ISSN: 1741-427X
• ISSN (Online): 1741-4288
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 Johana Rondevaldova et al.
• First Published: First published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015:175983
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a creative commons license