Effect of Vancomycin, tetracycline, Persia americana leaf extract and combinations thereof on antibacterial activity against pathogenic organisms

Abstract

Many pathogenic bacteria have emerged resistance to drugs leading to high cost of treatment. Alternatively, people simultaneously use herbal and conventional medicine to combat infections without scientific evidence on their effectiveness. In an attempt to find out effectiveness of vancomycin, tetracycline, P. americana leaf extract and their combinations against S. aureus, S. pyogenes and P. aeruginosa a laboratory experiment was conducted. MIC and antibacterial activity were determined by macrodilution and disc diffusion methods respectively. Lowest values of MIC and MBC of extract were observed against S. aureus. Zone of inhibition (ZI) ranged from 0 to 31.00mm for antibiotics. Extract was more effective against S. aureus with ZI of 13.00 mm. Combination of vancomycin with extract showed highest improvement of 36.12% against S. aureus. Potency reduction was observed for tetracycline against P. aeruginosa. Therefore, addition of plant extract to antibiotics is being recommended as a best way of improving their potency.