Zusammenfassung
We evaluated the antimicrobial activity and some mechanisms used by
subinhibitory and inhibitory concentrations of the essential oil,
obtained from leaves of Plectranthus amboinicus, against a standard
strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae and 5 multiresistant clinical isolates
of the bacteria. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal
bactericidal concentration (MBC), the rate of kill and the pH
sensitivity of the essential oil were determined by microdilution tests
performed in 96-well plates. Subinhibitory and inhibitory concentrations
of the essential oil were tested in order to check its action on K.
pneumoniae membrane permeability, capsule expression, urease activity
and cell morphology. The MIC and MBC of the essential oil were 0.09 +/-
0.01%. A complete inhibition of the bacterial growth was observed after
2 h of incubation with twice the MIC of the essential oil. A better MIC
was found when neutral or alkaline pH broth was used. Alteration in
membrane permeability was found by the increase of crystal violet uptake
when the bacteria were incubated with twice the MIC levels of the
essential oil. The urease activity could be prevented when all the
subinhibitory concentrations were tested in comparison to the untreated
group (p < 0.001). Alteration of the bacterial morphology besides
inhibition of the capsule expression was verified by atomic force
microscopy, and Anthony's stain method, respectively. Our data allow us
to conclude that the essential oil of P. amboinicus can be a good
candidate for future research. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights
reserved.
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