IN-VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF MUPIROCIN IN COMBINATION WITH THREE ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic which is very effective against staphylococci, streptococci and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. Because of its high effectiveness against MRSA infection, it is frequently used in clinical practice for decolonization of MRSA. Due to the increased use of mupirocin, increased resistance rates have been reported. Essential oil is a natural antimicrobial agent which kills the bacteria without promoting the acquisition of resistance. Hence, the combination of mupirocin with essential oils would be an ideal solution for preventing mupirocin resistance. Therefore, in this study we have investigated the antibacterial effect of mupirocin in combination with 3 essential oils (cinnamon, eugenol, and eucalyptus). Zone of inhibition test using disk diffusion method and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test using broth dilution method was carried out to assess the antibacterial activity against S. aureus. In this study, we have checked the type of interaction (synergistic, antagonistic, indifference, additive effect). From the results, it was observed that all the essential oil showed potential synergistic antibacterial effect against S. aureus. There was no antagonistic effect was observed in any of the 3 combination.