Combination evaluation of some Algerian medicinal plant extracts in association with antibiotics

Article history: Received on: 17/01/2017 Accepted on: 02/03/2017 Available online: 30/05/2017 In vitro antibacterial activity of hydromethanolic extracts of nine Algerian medicinal plants were evaluated alone and in combination with five antibiotics against six Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, using well diffusion method. The extracts of plant tested, with the exception of Cassia angustifolia, Nigella sativa and Zingiber officinale, showed different levels of antibacterial activities against most pathogens with diameters varying from 06.0 to 25.0 mm, especially against S. aureus. Combinations of plant extracts and antibiotics showed different synergistic effects resulting in increased areas of inhibition of some antibiotics combined with plant extracts, including those presented weak antibacterial activity. The tested extracts could be used in combination therapy as a source of resistance modifying agents for the treatment of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria.