Antibacterial and ciprofloxacin -potentiation activities of Berberis vulgaris L. root extracts against some gram-negative pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

<strong>Background and aims:</strong> Some medicinal plants particularly those with antimicrobial properties contain compounds that potentiate the activity of antimicrobials against pathogenic bacteria. This study was planned to search the antibacterial activities of the hydro alcoholic and chloroform extracts of <em>Berberis vulgaris</em> L.root and their synergistic effects with ciprofloxacin against some gram-negative pathogenic bacteria.<br /> <br /><strong>Methods:</strong> After grinding, powder of <em>Berberis vulgaris</em> L. roots were extracted with ethanol 85% and chloroform by maceration method. Broth micro dilution method was used for determination of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the extracts alone or in association with ciprofloxacin and Phenylalanine-Arginine β- Naphtylamide (PAβN) as a positive control and efflux pumps inhibitor (EPI).<br /> <br /><strong>Results:</strong> MIC determination indicated that the hydro alcoholic and chloroform extracts from <em>Berberis vulgaris </em>L. rootwere able to inhibit the growth of all the studied bacteria within a concentration range of 25000 to 75000 and 1562 to 6250 µg/mL, respectively. Synergistic effects were noted between the extracts from <em>Berberis vulgaris </em>L.root extracts and ciprofloxacin on all tested bacteria.<br /> <br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> <em>Berberis vulgaris </em>L. root extracts act as an antibacterial agent and potentiate ciprofloxacin effects on examined pathogenic bacteria. The present investigation brings about primary information's for the possible use of these extracts in association with fluoroquinolones.