Antibacterial and synergistic activity of isocryptomerin isolated from Selaginella tamariscina

J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2009 Feb;19(2):204-7. doi: 10.4014/jmb.0810.566.

Abstract

We investigated novel antibacterial and synergistic activities of isocryptomerin isolated from Selaginella tamariscina. Isocryptomerin showed potent antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains including clinical isolates of antibiotic-resistant species such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Additionally, we further investigated the synergistic activity of isocryptomerin with a conventional antibiotic against MRSA. The result indicated that isocryptomerin had considerable synergistic activity in combination with cefotaxime. In summary, the present study suggests that isocryptomerin may have potential as a novel therapeutic agent for treatment of infectious diseases by not only human pathogenic bacteria but also multidrug-resistant bacteria.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cefotaxime / pharmacology
  • Drug Synergism*
  • Flavones / pharmacology*
  • Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Molecular Structure
  • Selaginellaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Flavones
  • isocryptomerin
  • Cefotaxime