• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.164-168
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• 2007

To investigate natural antibiotics from plant essential oils and to evaluate their synergism with current antimicrobial drugs in inhibiting antibiotic-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of eleven plant essential oils and their main components were established for two antibiotic-susceptible and two antibiotic-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae, using broth microdilution tests. Potential synergism with oxacillin, norfloxacin, or erythromycin was evaluated using a checkerboard microtitre assay. Among the tested oils, Mentha piperita oil and its main component, menthol, exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities against all of the tested strains. The activity of antibiotics against antibiotic-resistant strains of S. pneumoniae was enhanced significantly by combination with Mentha piperita oils and its main component, menthol. In conclusion, the combination Mentha piperita essential oil or menthol with antibiotics could be used to reduce the effective dose of antibiotic and to modulate the resistance of S. pneumoniae strains.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2 s.62
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• pp.13-24
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• 2005

Objectives & methods; In order to evaluate the in vivo synergic effect of Mawhangyounpye-tang, a traditional poly-herbal formula used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in Korea, with the quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CPFX), the viable bacterial number and histopathological changes were monitored after experimental respiratory infection with Streptococcus Pneumoniae ATCC 6303. Results: 1. In CPFX groups, the viable bacterial numbers were significantly decreased compared to that of the control group, and were even more dramatically decreased in concomitant group treated with Mawhangyounpye-tang. 2. In the control group, severe infiltration of inflammatory cells, hemorrhage and hypertrophy of alveolar linings were demonstrated at microscopic levels. However, these abnormal histopathological changes were significantly decreased compared. to that of the control group in CPFX groups, and were even more dramatically decreased in concomitant groups treated with Mawhangyounpye-tang. 3. In CPFX groups, the LSA (Iuminal surface of alveoli $\%$) were significantly increased compared to that of the control group, and more dramatically in concomitant groups treated with Mawhangyounpye-tang. Conclusions: According to these results, it is considered that the in vivo antibacterial activity of CPFX against Streptococcus Pneumoniae ATCC 6303 infection of respiratory tract was dramatically increased by concomitant use of Mawhangyounpye-tang.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.1039-1045
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• 2005

In order to evaluate the in vivo synergic effect of Eunkyo-san which was a traditional poly-herbal formula has been used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in Korea, with quinolone antibiotics, ciprofloxacin (CPFX), the viable bacterial number and histopathological changes were monitored after experimental respiratory infection with S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303. The obtained results were as follows: In CPFX groups, the viable bacterial numbers were significantly decreased compared to that of control group and these were more dramatically decreased compared to that of single treatment with CPFX, respectively in concomitant treated groups with Eunkyo-san. In control group, severe infiltration of inflammatory cells, hemorrhage and hypertrophy of alveolar linings were demonstrated at microscopical levels. However, these abnormal histopathological changes were significantly decreased compared to that of control group in CPFX groups, and these were more dramatically decreased compared to that of single treatment with CPFX, respectively in concomitant treated groups with Eunkyo-san. In CPFX groups, the LSA (luminal surface of alveoli $\%$) were significantly increased compared to that of control group and these were more dramatically decreased compared to that of single treatment with CPFX, respectively in concomitant treated groups with Eunkyo-san. According to these results, it is considered as the in vivo antibacterial activity of CPFX was dramatically increased by concomitant use of Eunkyo-san against S. pneumoniae ATCC 6303 infection of respiratory tract.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.897-901
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• 2005

The in vitro inhibitory activities of essential oils from Thymus magnus and T. quinquecostatus as well as their main constituents were evaluated against susceptible and resistant species of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritidis, and Salmonella typhimurium. Notably, the essential oil fraction of T. magnus and its main components displayed significant inhibitory action against both antibiotic-susceptible and resistant strains of S. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and S. typhimurium with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.125 to 8 mg/mL. The differential MIC values imply that the oil fraction and its main components exhibit distinct patterns of activity against the tested bacterial species. Moreover, the disk diffusion test revealed that the inhibitory activities of oil fraction and components were dose-dependent. Data from the checkerboard titer test confirmed synergism between the antibiotic, norfloxacin, and T. magnus oil or thymol, particularly against the resistant strains of S. aureus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.195-205
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• 2005

Objective & Methods: To evaluate the in vitro synergic effect of Eunkyo-san, a traditional poly-herbal formula used in the treatment of respiratory diseases in oriental medicine with quinolone antibiotics, represented by ciprofloxacin (CPFX), which was used in the minimal concentration (MIC), $MIC_{50}$ and $MIC_{90}$. of single use of quinolones in concomitant treatment with Eunkyo-san against 9 strain$ of gram positive bacteria. Results: In. the case of aerobic gram positive bacteria, the MIC, $MIC_{50}$ and $MIC_{90}$ against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus smith, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae Type I, Type II and Type III were significantly decreased in concomitant treated groups with Eunkyo-san compared to those of single treated groups of CPFX, respectively. However, no significant changes were demonstrated against Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis. Conclusion: The in vitro antibacterial activity of CPFX were increased against some strains of gram positive strains, especially, pneumococcus such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, by concomitant use of Eunkyo-san.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1740-1745
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• 2004

In order to evaluate the in vitro synergic effect of Eunkyo-san, with quinolone antibiotics, rufloxacin (RUFX), the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), MIC50 and MIC90 of single use of quinolones and concomitant treatment with Eunkyo-san against 9 strains of aerobic gram positive bacteria. The obtained results were as follows : In the case of aerobic gram positive bacteria, the MIC, MIC50 and MIC90 against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus aureus smith, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus pyogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae Type Ⅰ, Type Ⅱ and Type Ⅲ was significantly decreased in concomitant treated groups with Eunkyo-san compared to those of single treated groups of RUFX, respectively. However, no significant changes were demonstrated against Bacillus subtilis and Enterococcus faecalis. In conclusion, the in vitro antibacterial activity of RUFX were increased against some strains of aerobic gram positive strains, especially, pneumococcus such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus by concomitant use of Eunkyo-san.