Synergistic effect of rhein in combination with ampicillin or oxacillin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Joung,Dae-Ki; Joung,Hee; Yang,Da-Wun; Kwon,Dong-Yeul; Choi,Jang-Gi; Woo,Seo; Shin,Dong-Young; Kweon,Oh-Hyun; Kweon,Kee-Tae; Shin,Dong-Won

doi:10.3892/etm.2012.459

Synergistic effect of rhein in combination with ampicillin or oxacillin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Authors:
- Dae-Ki Joung
- Hee Joung
- Da-Wun Yang
- Dong-Yeul Kwon
- Jang-Gi Choi
- Seo Woo
- Dong-Young Shin
- Oh-Hyun Kweon
- Kee-Tae Kweon
- Dong-Won Shin
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Affiliations: Department of Oriental Medicine Resources, College of Bio Industry Science, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Jeonnam 540-742, Republic of Korea, Department of Oriental Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Wonkwang Oriental Medicines Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 570-749, Republic of Korea, Department of Development in Plant Resources, College of Bio Industry Science, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Jeonnam 540-742, Republic of Korea, Department of Physical Therapy, Andong Science College, Seohu-Myeon, Andong-Si, Gyongbuk 760-820, Republic of Korea, Ministry of Health and Welfare Office for Healthcare Policy Division of Traditional Korean Medicine, Jongro-gu, Seoul 110-793, Republic of Korea
Published online on: January 25, 2012 https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2012.459
Pages: 608-612

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Abstract

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for a number of infections in humans that are difficult to treat, and as a result, is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In the present study, in search of natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug-resistant bacterium, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of rhein isolated from Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae) against 16 different strains of the bacterium. New antimicrobial activity was found using the paper disc diffusion method [minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs)], MTT test and checkerboard dilution test. Against the 16 strains, the disc diffusion test was in the range of 20-29 mm and the MICs of rhein were in the range of 7.8-31.25 µg/ml. From these results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of rhein in combination with ampicillin (AM) or oxacillin (OX) against all strains. The combined activity of rhein and the two antimicrobial agents (AM and OX) against all strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentration index ranging from 0.28-1 and from 0.18-1, respectively. The effect of rhein with AM and OX was found to be synergistic or partially synergistic. We found that rhein reduced the MICs of AM and OX. Rhein in combination with AM or OX could lead to the development of new combinations of antibiotics against MRSA infection.

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