Antibiofilm activity of berberine and capsaicin in combination with quinolones against Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis

Abstract

Antimicrobial resistance which causes failure of antibiotic therapy has become a serious global issue nowadays. Bacteria develop resistance towards an antibacterial agent via many mechanisms. Biofilm formation by bacteria poses severe threat to the treatment of infections. The combination of plant molecules with antibiotics can combat antimicrobial resistance. In the present study, antibiofilm activity of two plant molecules berberine and capsaicin was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus isolates from bovine mastitis cases. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that berberine and capsaicin when combined with quinolones increased the diameter of zone of inhibition in a dose dependent manner. In vitro biofilm assay using congo red agar plate method revealed the antibiofilm activity of berberine and capsaicin in combination with quinolone antibiotics. The study concludes that the combination of phytoconstituents with antibiotics can alleviate resistance mechanisms in bacteria

Keywords

• antimicrobial resistance
• biofilm
• staphylococcus aureus
• bovine mastitis