Title:Synergistic Effect of Polyalthia longifolia Leaf and Antibiotics against Clinical Isolates of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by Microscopic Technique
VOLUME: 19 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Balasupramaniam Kirubakari, Yeng Chen and Sreenivasan Sasidharan*
Affiliation:Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Dental Research & Training Unit, and Oral Cancer Research and Coordinating Centre (OCRCC), Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Institute for Research in Molecular Medicine (INFORMM), Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang
Keywords:Antibacterial agent, combinational therapy, natural products, Polyalthia longifolia, resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, scanning electron microscopy.
Abstract:
Background: Polyalthia longifolia is a popular medicinal plant and has been
widely used as a traditional remedy for centuries in curing of various ailments. The purpose
of this study was conducted to determine the in situ antimicrobial synergistic effects
between Polyalthia longifolia leaf ethyl acetate fraction (PLEAF) and ampicillin against
MRSA local isolate by using modern microscopy technique.
Methods: Hence, the evaluation of the synergistic activity of PLEAF and ampicillin
against MRSA local isolate was conducted with scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Results: The combinational effect of PLEAF fraction and ampicillin exhibited significant
antibacterial activity against MRSA. Bacterial cells observations showed invagination, impaired
cell division, extensive wrinkles, cell shrinkage, the appearance of a rougher cell
with fibrous matrix and clustered cells which confirmed the synergistic effect of PLEAF
and ampicillin against MRSA local isolate by SEM.
Conclusion: Conclusively, the in situ SEM observation proved the synergistic antimicrobial
activity between PLEAF fraction and ampicillin to destroy the MRSA resistance bacteria
which is an important aspect of PLEAF fraction to be used in the future combinational
therapy.
