Antibacterial activity of methyl gallate isolated from Galla Rhois or carvacrol combined with nalidixic acid against nalidixic acid resistant bacteria

Molecules. 2009 May 11;14(5):1773-80. doi: 10.3390/molecules14051773.

Abstract

Methyl gallate is a major component of Galla Rhois, as carvacrol is of oregano essential oils. Both have shown good antibacterial activity against intestinal bacteria. This study investigated the antibacterial activities of nalidixic acid in combination with methyl gallate and carvacrol against nalidixic acid resistant bacteria. The combined effect of nalidixic acid with methyl gallate and carvacrol was evaluated using the checkerboard method to obtain a fractional inhibitory concentration index. The results showed that the combinations of nalidixic acid + methyl gallate/carvacrol improved nalidixic acid resistant pathogenic bacteria inhibition with synergy or partial synergy activity. Thus, a strong bactericidal effect of the drug combinations was observed. In vitro data thus suggested that nalidixic acid combined with methyl gallate and carvacrol may be microbiologically beneficial, rather than antagonists.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / isolation & purification
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Bacteria / drug effects*
  • Cymenes
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / drug effects*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Gallic Acid / analogs & derivatives*
  • Gallic Acid / isolation & purification
  • Gallic Acid / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Korean Traditional
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology*
  • Nalidixic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Cymenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • Plant Extracts
  • Nalidixic Acid
  • methyl gallate
  • Gallic Acid
  • carvacrol