International Journal of Drug Research and Technology

ENHANCEMENT OF THE ANTIBIOTIC ACTIVITY AGAINST DRUG RESISTANT STRAINS OF ESCHERICHIA COLI BY SIDDHA DRUG MATHAN THAILAM

Abstract

C.P. Prince, V. Gopal

This is the first report testing the antibiotic resistance-modifying activity of a Siddha formulation. In this study Mathan thailam (a traditional Siddha formulation used for skin diseases), Ethanolic extract of Datura metel and chlorpromazine were tested for their antimicrobial activity alone and in combination with conventional antibiotics against strains of Escherichia coli. The growth of two Escherichia coli strains tested was not inhibited by the Mathan thailam and ethanolic extract Datura. The minimum inhibitory concentration and minimal bactericidal concentration values were >1mg/ml for both strains of Escherichia coli tested. A potentiating effect of this extract on gentamicin was demonstrated. Similarly, there was a potentiating effect of chlorpromazine on kanamycin, amikacin and tobramycin, indicating the involvement of an efflux system in the resistance to these aminoglycosides. Results indicate that Mathan thailam could be used as resistance-modifying agent, such as in the case of gentamicin, making it a new weapon against bacterial resistance to antibiotics, as with chlorpromazine.