THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF BIOACTIVE PHYTOCHEMICALS BY INHIBITING β-LACTAMASE OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANT CLINICAL ISOLATES

β-lactams have been widely used as antibiotics for treatment of nosocomial and community acquired infections for the last five decades. Under selective pressure from the extensive use of cephalosporins in 1980s and 1990s, many bacteria have emerged as resistant against these antibiotics. The resistance to β-lactam antibiotics can be due to any of the following three mechanisms i.e. decreased accumulation of the drugs by bacterial cell, hydrolysis of the antibiotics by β-lactamases (βL) and alterations in penicillin binding proteins that reduce their affinity for the drug. WHO has repeatedly warned for a growing emergence of bacterial antibiotic resistance. The consequences of drug resistance include higher mortality and morbidity. Hence there is a need to search for new alternative antimicrobial agents with fewer side effects. In the current study, we have checked the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of ten traditionally used medicinal plants against β-lactam resistant bacteria isolated from urinary tract infected (UTI) patients. We have also proposed phytochemicals extracted from medicinal plants as potential antibacterials and investigation of inhibition of βL activity. The enzymes were purified and studied for inhibition assay by using nitrocefin as a substrate.