Evaluation of the antibacterial effect of carvacrol alone and incombination with the antibiotic cefixime against Escherichia coli O۱۵۷:H۷

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESToday, the use of plant compounds and their derivatives such as extracts and essential oils tocombat infectious agents is highly regarded by researchers. One of the active antimicrobialcompounds with plant origin is carvacrol. The aim of the present study was to evaluate theantibacterial activity of carvacrol alone and in combination with the antibiotic cefixime againstEscherichia coli O۱۵۷:H۷.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe Antibacterial properties of carvacrol and cefexime were evaluated by determining theMinimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) anddisk diffusion method. The Checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the interaction betweenthe carvacrol and cefexime and to determine the fractional inhibitory concentration.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe result showed that the MIC and MBC of carvacrol and cefexime aqainst E.coli O۱۵۷:H۷was ۲۵۰, ۲۵۰ μg/ml (MIC, MBC) and ۱۲۸, ۱۲۸ μg/ml (MIC, MBC) Respectively.In the checkerboard test, carvacrol had synergistic interaction with antibiotic cefixime againstE. coli O۱۵۷:H۷ (FIC index=۰/۵).CONCLUSIONDue to the significant antibacterial activity of carvacrol, the present study introduces this agentas a new antibacterial drug with natural origin. In addition, since carvacrol significantlyincreased the antibacterial potential of cefixime (synergistic properties), carvacrol could beintroduced as an effective compound to increase the antibacterial power of cefixime antibiotic.

کلیدواژه ها:

Escherichia coli O۱۵۷:H۷ ، carvacrol ، cefixime ، Antibacterial ، checkerboard