Flax plants were studied at two old sites (Kafer El‐Sheikh and El‐Fayoum) and a new site (El‐Salhia). At the harvesting stage soil samples were collected and subjected to mechanical, physical and chemical analysis. The fibre yield, physical and chemical characteristics were studied and correlated with the major edaphic conditions of the old and new sites. The results indicate that the fibre yield and quality were quite high in the flax from the Kafer El‐Sheikh site because of suitable climatic conditions and high fertility of the soil. Soil build up of the old site at El‐Fayoum enhanced slightly high fibre strength and fineness, in spite of less fevourable climatic conditions compared to the El‐Salhia site. Low organic matter and availability of nutrients in addition to high calcium content were the main factors affecting the quantity and quality of the flax fibre in the new cultivated area at El‐Salhia.

Aims The present study aims to evaluate the capability of rosuvastatin to synergize with levofloxacin against Staphylococcus aureus. Methods and Results Rosuvastatin inhibited the growth of S. aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration of 16 μg ml−1. Additionally, it showed a bactericidal effect at 4x minimum inhibition concentration. Using a checkerboard method, a synergistic effect was recorded when rosuvastatin was combined with levofloxacin showing against S. aureus isolate 28 (S 28). Furthermore, this combination was also able to display a significant reduction in biofilm formation (92·8%) and suppress the production of coagulase and β‐haemolysin, and virulence factors of S. aureus isolate 28. An animal model for wound infection was used to assess the therapeutic effect of the test combination, in vivo. It was found that the test combination reduced the bacterial burden in the infected wounds by 91·3%. Pathological and histological analyses have revealed a decline in cell infiltration in the excisional wound skin tissue after treatment with rosuvastatin and levofloxacin combination. Conclusions Rosuvastatin combined with levofloxacin can be considered as a promising solution to combat S. aureus antibiotic resistance phenomenon. Significance and Impact of the Study This study unveils the potential effect of rosuvastatin when used in combination with levofloxacin can be used as a topical antibacterial agent to treat S. aureus skin infections.