Propolis: anti- Staphylococcus aureus activity and synergism with antimicrobial drugs

• Published in: Memórias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz Vol. 100; no. 5; pp. 563 - 566
• Main Authors: Fernandes Júnior, Ary, Balestrin, Elaine Cristina, Betoni, Joyce Elaine Cristina, Orsi, Ricardo de Oliveira, da Cunha, Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro de Souza, Montelli, Augusto Cezar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz 01.08.2005; Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ)
• Subjects: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology; antimicrobial drugs; Drug Synergism; E-test method; E-test method - antimicrobial drugs; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Kirby and Bauer method; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; PARASITOLOGY; propolis; Propolis - pharmacology; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus aureus - drug effects; TROPICAL MEDICINE; propolis; Kirby and Bauer method; antimicrobial drugs; Staphylococcus aureus; E-test method
• ISSN: 1678-8060; 0074-0276; 1678-8060; 0074-0276
• DOI: 10.1590/S0074-02762005000500018

Propolis is a natural resinous substance collected by bees from tree exudates and secretions. Its antimicrobial activity has been investigated and inhibitory action on Staphylococcus aureus growth was evaluated. The in vitro synergism between ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and antimicrobial drugs by two susceptibility tests (Kirby and Bauer and E-Test) on 25 S. aureus strains was evaluated. Petri dishes with sub-inhibitory concentrations of EEP were incubated with 13 drugs using Kirby and Bauer method and synergism between EEP and five drugs [choramphenicol (CLO), gentamicin (GEN), netilmicin (NET), tetracycline (TET), and vancomycin (VAN)] was observed. Nine drugs were assayed by the E-test method and five of them exhibited a synergism [CLO, GEN, NET, TET, and clindamycin (CLI)]. The results demonstrated the synergism between EEP and antimicrobial drugs, especially those agents that interfere on bacterial protein synthesis.