Synergistic activity of cephem antibiotics with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) was investigated. Silver nanoparticles were synthesized through biological and chemical method. The combined action of -lactam cephem antibiotics with both green and chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles enhances the antibacterial activity against wide range of antibiotic resistant pathogens and making them applicable to medical devices and microbial control systems. Synergistic activity of chloramphenicol with silver nanoparticles was also studied.

Resistance to antimicrobial agents by pathogenic bacteria has emerged in recent years and is a major challenge for the health care industry. For developing a cheap broad-active agent that can be applicable against different pathogens, it is necessary to develop an alternative source for normal antibacterial agents. This paper mainly focuses on the combined action of green as well as citrate synthesized silver nanoparticles and β-penem antibiotics, which are β-lactam antibiotics with penem rings. These silver nanoparticles synergistic potential helps in the enhancement of antibacterial activity of broad spectrum antibiotics. The synergistic actions of citrate capped silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were compared with that of garlic (Allium sativum) synthesized silver nanoparticles together with action of antibiotics, ampicillin and amoxyclav, and some of the pathogenic organisms showed an increase in the action of antibiotics.