Effects Of Alpha-Mangostin And Citronella Oil Against Acne Causing Bacteria

Objective: This study assessed the effects of alpha-mangostin (AM) and citronella oil (CO) working alone or in combination against Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Methods: The screening for antibacterial activity of AM and CO against P. acnes and S. aureus was carried out using the disk diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of these two substances were determined using the broth microdilution method. The fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI) of a combination of AM and CO were obtained by checkerboard dilution assay. Results: The results showed that alpha-mangostin and citronella oil do indeed fight against P. acnes and S. aureus. The MICs and MBCs of AM against P. acnes and S. aureus were the same at 6.25 and 50 µg/ml, respectively. Both the MIC and the MBC of CO against P. acnes were 27.81µg/ml. The MIC and the MBC of CO against S. aureus were 112.13 and 224.25 µg/ml, respectively. The FICI of a combination of AM and CO against P. acnes and S. aureus were 2.00, indicating indifferent interaction with no additional inhibitory effect. Conclusion: AM and CO are very effective against P. acnes and S. aureus, nevertheless their effect when used together was indifferent from using alone. Further research may find that either or both of these substances combined with yet a different natural agent could provide synergy againstP. acnes and S. aureus.

Antibacterial Activity of Water Soluble Components of Elfvingia applanata Alone and in Combinations with Quinolones

A preparation of water soluble components(EA) was made from carpophores of Elfvingia applanata(Pers.) Karst and its in vitro antibacterial activity on a number of bacterial species was examined by macrobroth dilution assay. Among 16 species of bacteria tested, the most potent antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus epiderrnidis and Proteus vulgaris, of which MICs were 1.25 mg/ml. To investigate the antibacterial effects in combinations of EA with quinolone antibiotics, such as ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, lomefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin, the fractional inhibitory concentrations(FICs) and the fractional inhibitory concentration indices(FICIs) for four bacterial strains were determined by macrobroth dilution checkerboard assay. Combinations of EA and quinolones exhibited either additive or indifferent effects of antibacterial activity in most instances. However, both synergistic and antagonistic effects were not observed in any cases.

Antibacterial Activity of Water Soluble Components of Elfvingia applanata Alone and in Combinations with Third Generation Cephalosporins

Antibacterial activity of EA, a preparation of water soluble components made from carpophores of Elfvingia applanata (Pers.) Karst, was examined by macrobroth diltution method against a number of bacterial species. Antibacterial effects of EA were expressed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for growth. Among twelve species of bacteria tested, six strains of each gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria, EA showed the most potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Proteus vulgaris, of which MICs were 1.25 mg/ml of EA. To investigate the antibacterial effects of combinations of EA with third generation cepholosporins, such as cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and cefixime, the fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) were determined by macrodilution checkerboard assay for twelve bacterial strains. Combinations of EA and third generation cephalosporins exhibited either additive or indifferent effects in most instances. However, synergistic effects were observed in six instances. No antagonistic effect was observed in any cases.