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Combination of essential oil and ciprofloxacin to inhibit/eradicate biofilms in multidrug‐resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Author(s) -
Mohamed S.H.,
Mohamed M.S.M.,
Khalil M.S.,
Azmy M.,
Mabrouk M.I.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of applied microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 1364-5072
DOI - 10.1111/jam.13755
Subject(s) - biofilm , klebsiella pneumoniae , microbiology and biotechnology , ciprofloxacin , thymol , chemistry , essential oil , minimum inhibitory concentration , antibiotics , biology , bacteria , food science , biochemistry , escherichia coli , genetics , gene
Aim This study aimed to test biofilm inhibition activities of each of essential oils ( EO s), main compounds of EO s and enzymes against pathogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae . Methods and Results The effect of seven EO s and three enzymes was tested on formation and eradication of K. pneumoniae biofilm. Peppermint oil showed a robust biofilm inhibitory effect, causing inhibition that ranged from 69·2 to 98·2% at 5 μ l ml −1 . Thyme oil was found to have the best biofilm eradication ability, causing eradication that ranged from 80·1 to 98·0% at 10 μ l ml −1 . The most effective EO s were analysed by GC / MS , to determine the major chemical constitutes of each oil. Pure menthol was found to cause 75·3–97·5% biofilm inhibition at 2·5 μ g ml −1 , whereas thymol caused 85·1–97·8% biofilm eradication at 5 μ g ml −1 . However, moderate inhibition activity was detected for α ‐amylase and bromelain, while poor activity was detected for β ‐amylase. Ciprofloxacin combination with thyme oil and thymol was found to enhance antibiotic activity, and affect biofilm cell viability. The observed inhibitory/eradication activity on K. pneumoniae biofilms was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions Thyme and peppermint EO s, and their active components are promising antibiofilm agents alone and/or in combination with ciprofloxacin to inhibit/eradicate biofilms of K. pneumoniae . Significance and Impact of the Study The presented results suggest the potential application of EO s against infections, caused by biofilm‐producing K. pneumoniae , to prevent biofilm formation or decrease their resistance threshold. Moreover, the combination of EO s with ciprofloxacin minimizes the antibiotic concentration used and accordingly the potential accompanying toxic side effects.