Antimicrobial Activity of Elfvingia applanata extract alone and in Combination with Some Antibiotics

Elfvingia applanata 엑스가 수종 항생물질의 항균력에 미치는 병용효과

As part of our search for less toxic antimicrobial agents from natural resources, the carpophores of Elfvingia applanata$(P_{ers}.)K_{ARST}.$ was extracted with hot water. EA, the aqueous extract from the carpophores of E. applanata, was lyophilized and a dark brownish powder was obtained. Antimicrobial activity of EA was tested in vitro against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria by serial broth dilution method, and the antimicrobial activity was expressed by minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC). Among fourteen species of bacteria tested, the antimicrobial activity of EA was the most potent against Proteus vulgaris showing MIC of 1.250 mg/ml. To investigate the effect of antimicrobial combinations of EA with four kinds of antibiotics(ampicillin, cefazolin, oxytetracycline and chloramphenicol), the fractional inhibitory concentration index(FICI) was determined by checkerboard assay for each strain. The antimicrobial combinations of EA with four kinds of antibiotics resulted in synergism in four instances, but no antagonism was observed. Four instances of synergism were observed when EA was combined with ampicillin against Micrococcus luteus, with cefazolin against Bacillus subtilis, with cefazolin against Micrococcus luteus and with oxytetracycline against Staphylococcus aureus.