Antibacterial and Synergistic Effects of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Artemisia annua Against Multidrug-resistant Isolates of Acinetobacter

Abstract

Background: Acinetobacter is one of the most important pathogens that causes high prevalence of infection in clinical centers. Natural products are major sources of new anti-infective agents and considered as an alternative medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanol extract of Artemisia annua on the clinically isolated Acinetobacter and the combination of the plant extract with amikacin and imipenem. Methods: The aqueous and methanol extract of the aerial parts of this plant was prepared by maceration. Antibacterial activity was determined by the Broth microdilution method. The presence of adeI and adeB genes in Acinetobacter isolates was investigated. The combination effects of antibiotics were performed using the checkerboard method. The effect of plant extract on bacterial efflux pumps was also investigated. Results: MIC values of the methanol extract of A. annua were from 4.46 mg/ml to 8.92 mg/ml. The effects of the interaction of the plant extract with the amikacin and imipenem represent a significant synergistic influence. Findings indicated that the plant extract was able to inhibit the efflux pump remarkably. Conclusion: The combination of the plant extract with amikacin and imipenem can be used in the treatment of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter and probably other infectious diseases.

Comparative evaluation of the antibacterial activity of curcumin-coated gutta-percha versus nanocurcumin-coated gutta-percha against Escherichia coli: An in vitro study

“…Antibiotic resistance has resulted in a shift toward the use of phytochemicals and a search for other methods of treating these infections. [ 7 8 9 ] Direct broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of curcumin against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria has been demonstrated. [ 10 11 12 ] The anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-asthmatic, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, cardiac protein, and immune-modulatory properties of curcumin have been demonstrated.…”

Phytochemicals: A Promising Weapon in the Arsenal against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

“…Under these circumstances and to overcome this problem, identifying alternative or complementary approaches is urgently needed to prevent and treat microbial infections. One such approach employs naturally occurring compounds with potential antibacterial activities [ 3 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Herbal medicines are rich in various compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, tannins, antimicrobial peptides, and steroids, which can be used as an alternative or complement to conventional antibiotics [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”