European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CINNAMOMUM TAMALA LEAVES ENHANCES SENSITIVITY ZONES OF CEPHALOSPORINS IN ESBL PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI

Sreyasree Dhar and Satadal Das*

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Cephalosporin group of antibiotics are resistant to Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL) producing E. coli (ESBL Ec). As natural products are important sources of different bioactive agents it is important to find out newer antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Materials and methods: Ethanolic etracts of the leaves of Cinnamomum tamala was used to find out any synergistic action of cephalosporins and the extract against ESBL Ec. Results: In this study we observed an enhanced sensitivity zones of three cephalosporins – cefotaxime, ceftazidime and cefuroxime in ESBL Ec in presence of ethanolic extract of Cinnamomum tamala leaves. Conclusion: This finding appears very important regarding the emerging drug resistance of most pathogenic bacteria. The synergistic action appears due to tannins, terpenoids or flavonoids which are normally present in C. tamala. This finding may help in new formulations of combined antibiotic-plant extract antimicrobials which may be effective in drug resistant bacteria.

Keywords: Cinnamomum tamala, cephalosporins, ESBL producing E. coli.