The Effect of Matricaria chamomilla Alcoholic Extract on Phenotype Detection of Efflux Pumps of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Isolated from Skin lesions

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains are resistant to many antibiotics. One of the major causes of drug resistance in bacteria is the efflux pumps. Matricaria chamomilla is a plant that is effective in treating skin diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of M. chamomilla alcoholic extract on phenotype detection and inhibition of efflux pumps of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from skin lesions.

The study was performed on 30 strains of S. aureus isolates collected from skin infections. The Strains of MRSA were detected by cefoxitin disc diffusion test. M. chamomilla alcoholic extract was prepared and its MIC was obtained against MRSA strains by broth microdilution method. Cartwheel method was used to study phenotypic activity of efflux pump. The effect of M. chamomilla extract was investigated on strains with active efflux pumps.

from 30 strains of isolated S. aureus, 33.3% were methicillin-resistant. Three strains (10%) had active efflux pump, among which one strain was detected as MRSA. MIC of M. chamomilla extract was between 12-64 μg/ml. With the effect of ½ MIC of M. chamomilla extract on the strains with a strong efflux pumps, the two stains were reported as non-actives. M. chamomilla extract on the MRSA strain efflux pump was ineffective. Antimicrobial effect of M. chamomilla extract was confirmed on MRSA isolated from skin lesions.