Antibacterial and ciprofloxacin -potentiation activities of Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts against some gram-negative pathogenic bacteria

Background and aims: Some medicinal plants particularly those with antimicrobial properties contain compounds that potentiate the activity of antimicrobials against pathogenic bacteria. This study was planned to search the antibacterial activities of the hydro alcoholic and chloroform extracts of Berberis vulgaris L. root and their synergistic effects with ciprofloxacin against some gram-negative pathogenic bacteria. Methods: After grinding, powder of Berberis vulgaris L. roots were extracted with ethanol 85% and chloroform by maceration method. Broth micro dilution method was used for determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts alone or in association with ciprofloxacin and Phenylalanine-Arginine β- Naphtylamide (PAβN) as a positive control and efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI). Results: MIC determination indicated that the hydro alcoholic and chloroform extracts from Berberis vulgaris L. root were able to inhibit the growth of all the studied bacteria within a concentration range of 25000 to 75000 and 1562 to 6250 µg/mL, respectively. Synergistic effects were noted between the extracts from Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts and ciprofloxacin on all tested bacteria. Conclusion: Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts act as an antibacterial agent and potentiate ciprofloxacin effects on examined pathogenic bacteria. The present investigation brings about primary information’s for the possible use of these extracts in association with fluoroquinolones

Antibacterial activity and ciprofloxacin-potentiation property of Berberis vulgaris asperma stem extracts on pathogenic bacteria

Introduction: This study was planned to search the antibacterial activities of the ethanol and Chloroform extracts of Berberis vulgaris asperma stem and their synergistic effects with ciprofloxacin against some gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.Methods: Broth micro-dilution method was used for determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts alone or in association with ciprofloxacin and Phenylalanine-Arginine β-Naphtylamide (PAβN) as a positive control and efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI).Results: MIC determination indicated that the extracts from Berberis vulgaris asperma stem were able to inhibit the growth of all the studied bacteria within a concentration range of 3900 to 37500 μg/mL. Synergistic effects were noted between the extracts from Berberis vulgaris asperma stem extracts and ciprofloxacin on all tested bacteria except Acinetobacter bummani.Conclusion: Berberis vulgaris asperma stem extracts act as an antibacterial agent and potentiate ciprofloxacin effects on examined pathogenic bacteria

Biofilm formation, hemolysin production and antimicrobial susceptibilities of Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from the mastitis milk of dairy cows in Shahrekord district, Iran

Streptococcus agalactiae is a major contagious pathogen causing bovine sub-clinical mastitis. The present investigation was carried out to determine some phenotypic characteristics of the S. agalactiae strains isolated from bovine mastitis cases in dairy cows of Shahrekord in the west-center of Iran. One hundred eighty California mastitis test (CMT) positive milk samples were bacteriologically studied. A total of 31 (17.2%) S. agalactiae isolated. Twenty eight (90.3%) of the isolates were biofilm producers. This finding may indicate the high potential of pathogenicity in isolated strains. Sixteen (51.6%) isolates were α hemolysin producers. Only 19.3%, 22.5% and 29.0% of the isolates were sensitive to streptomycin, flumequine and kanamycin, respectively. None of these three agents is recommended for treatment of mastitis cases

In vitro antifungal activity of aqueous-ethanolic extract of Allium jesdianum against fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant human vaginal Candida glabrata isolates

Introduction: About 50 of women are diagnosed with an episode of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) during first 25 years of their lives. Candida glabrata is considered the second most prevalent non-C. albicans species associated with VVC. In this study, we examined the antifungal effect of a medicinal plant, Allium jesdianum, as a natural therapeutic agent against fluconazole-susceptible and -resistant human vaginal C. glabrata isolates, collected from two groups of volunteers; healthy women and women with VVC.Methods: An aqueous-ethanolic extract of A. jesdianum was prepared by maceration method. Vaginal specimens were collected from 28 women diagnosed with VVC and eight healthy subjects. The specimens were cultured using fungal-specific media in optimum conditions. The antifungal susceptibility of clinical isolates of C. glabrata to the plant extract and fluconazole was evaluated according to the standard protocols.Results: Candida glabrata was found to be the major cause of vaginal infection among 15.2 of women with VVC. We could identify the Candida spp. yeasts that colonized the vagina of 35 of healthy women while 19 of the isolated yeasts strains were detected as C. glabrata. Moreover, 7.1 of isolates obtained from VVC-patients were fluconazole resistant. The results showed the antifungal effect of A. jesdianum against all fluconazole resistant and susceptible C. glabrata vaginal isolates. The MIC90 of aqueous-ethanol (A-EtOH) extract of A. jesdianum against C. glabrata isolates from both VVC-patients and healthy women was 3 mg/mL.Conclusion: Our results showed the promising antifungal efficacy of aqueous-ethanolic extract of A. jesdianum. A. jesdianum extract might be used as an alternative choice to treat the VVC infections caused by fluconazole resistant Candida spp

Antimicrobial Activities of Isolated Endophytes from Some Iranian Native Medicinal Plants: Antimicrobial activities some Iranian medicinal plants

Random samples from asymptomatic leaves and branches of five native medicinal plants: Stachys lavandulifolia, Rumex pulcher, Hypericum scabrum, Starja bachteriarica and Achillea kellalensis were collected from Chaharmahal province of Iran and examined for the presence of endophytic bacteria and fungi with biological activity. From 8 isolated endophytic fungi, all displayed considerable activity against at least one indicator fungi. Fungal isolates from R. pulcher leaves and branches showed activity against Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp, Alternaria spp and S. aureus. Five Bacillus spp strains were isolated from R. pulcher leaves and branches, four (80%) showed activity against S. aureus, and two strains were active against all indicator fungi. Bacillus spp strain isolated from leaves of H.scabrum was active against S. aureus and all 3 indicator fungi. None of the isolated endophytes showed antibacterial activity against E- coli

Biosurfactant Producing Bacteria on Oily Areas of Ruminant Skin: Biosurfactant Producing Bacteria on Oily Areas of Ruminant Skin

Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds produced by microorganisms. In this study, we collected 60 inguinal area and ear canal samples from cows, sheep, and goats (each, 10 animals) and screened for biosurfactant-producing bacteria. We also determined the genera of culturing strains. Fifty six hemolytic bacterial strains (27, 22 and 7, from cows, sheep and goats, respectively) were isolated. Oil spreadingtest and bioemulsifying activities were measured for all isolates. The cows’ samples had higher population of positive strains than other animals, so that 5 isolates from inguinal area and 4 from ear canal samples (16.1%) were positive for all tests. For sheep, the numbers were 6 and one (12.5%) while for goats one and two (5.3%), respectively. Totally, 19 isolates (33.9%) were positive for all examinations out ofthem 12 were gram positives. The microorganisms isolated in this study could well be sources of novel biosurfactants. Further investigation into the composition of the biosurfactants and phylogenetic determination of biosurfactant producing bacteria is suggested

Investigating the Efficacy of Zizyphus Jujuba on Neonatal Jaundice

Objective: Neonatal jaundice is a common clinical finding in newborns. The efficacy and safety of phototherapy for neonatal jaundice have been firmly established, but it has some side effects, thus herbal therapy has recently received special attention. Herein we investigated the efficacy of Zizyphus jujuba for treatment of jaundice in neonates compared to phototherapy. Methods: In this clinical-trial study, a total of 121 neonates aged 2-14 days hospitalized for jaundice, were randomly assigned into experimental group including 63 patients who received Zizyphus jujubam's fruit extract 1ml/Kg 3 times a day and phototherapy, and control group of 58 cases receiving phototherapy with distilled water. Bilirubin level during hospitalization in both groups was measured daily. Findings: Experimental group stayed in hospital for 3.47±0.3 days. None of the neonates in this group was hospitalized more than 7 days. In controls, hospitalization was 3.67±0.4 days. 2 cases stayed more than 7days. The bilirubin level had decreased in both groups. Decrease of serum bilirubin in experimental group after 12 hours was statistically significant compared to control group (P=0.026). In experimental group, after taking the herb for 1-2 days, 3 children developed slight diarrhea which resolved spontaneously. Conclusion: The results indicate that Zizyphus jujubam was effective for the treatment of neonatal jaundice in first 12 hours of treatment compared to controls which could be due to higher effect of Z. jujuba extract to reduce bilirubin concentration with different mechanisms

Evaluation of the Inhibitory Effects of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Biofilm Formation of Some Foodborne Bacterial Pathogens

Background and Aims: One of the most important factors in food industry is the formation of microbial biofilm which can be the potential source of food products contamination with food spoilage and foodborne pathogenic bacteria. This study was conducted to evaluate the inhibitory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on biofilm formation of some foodborne bacterial pathogens. Materials and Methods: This research was carried out in 2015. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of zinc oxide nanoparticles for E. coli (ATCC 35218), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538), Salmonella typhimurium (ATCC 14028) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579) was determined by using 96-well microplate and resazurin reduction method. Biofilm formation inhibition was assessed with microtiter plate method based on crystal violet staining and measurement of optical density using microplate reader. Results: MIC of zinc oxide nanoparticles for the above mentioned bacteria was respectively 1, ≤ 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/mL. The inhibition percentages of biofilm formation at the MIC of the nanoparticles were 90.20, 85.69, 83.65 and 61.96, respectively. Conclusions: In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticle showed the ability to inhibit the formation of biofilm even in sub inhibitory concentrations or Sub-MICs.  No significant difference (P>0.05) was observed in the biofilm inhibitory effects of ZnO nanoparticles at MIC and 1/2×MIC between E. coli and S. aureus. Results of this study showed the inhibitory effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles on biofilm formation of the studied foodborne bacterial pathogens. According to the importance of these bacteria in public health, ZnO nanoparticle can be used as a cleaning agent for the surfaces, apparatus and production lines in food plants in order to prevent foodborne bacterial biofilm formation

Evaluation of Anti biofilm and Antibiotic Potentiation Activities of Silver Nanoparticles against Some Nosocomial Pathogens: Nanosilver antibiofilm activity

Nowadays silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are used as antimicrobial due to its well known physical, chemical, and biological properties. A large collection of bacterial cells adhering to a surface is called bacterial biofilm. Exposure to silver nano particles (AgNPs) may prevent colonization of new bacteria onto the biofilm. In the present work, we have investigated whether the biofilm formation of some hospital isolates of pathogenic bacteria could be influenced by AgNPs. Also we examined the susceptibility of the isolates to some antibiotics in combination with AgNPs. Standard strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus, in addition to nine hospital isolates for each species were used. Tube double serial dilution method for determination of MIC of AgNPs against isolates was performed. Biofilm formation was evaluated by end smooth 96 cells micro titer plates. A disc diffusion method was used to assay the various antibiotics and combinations for bactericidal activity against the isolates. Mean MICs of AgNPs for Ps. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, E. faecalis and S. aureus were 3.125, 6.25, 6.25 and 12.5 ug/mL. , respectively. AgNPs exhibited more than % 90 inhibitory effect on biofilm formation of the examined species. The results indicated that AgNPs have strong anti bacterial and anti biofilm activity against the examined pathogens. Synergistic effects of AgNPs in combination with gentamicin, kanamycine, cephalosporin and penicillin were observed in different cases. Ps. aeruginosa and S. aureus showed more sensitivity (increase in fold) to examined antibiotics plus AgNPs compared to A. baumannii and E. faecalis. Our results demonstrated that AgNPs showing promising anti biofilm activity on hospital isolates of Ps. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, E. faecalis and S. aureus. The study also demonstrated a possible combination of examined antibiotics with AgNPs which concluded as synergism