title: The effect of Nepeta cataria extract on adherence and enzyme production of Staphylococcus aureus.
abstract: Nepeta cataria L., commonly known as catnip, is a perennial herb with a considerable folkloric reputation. A diethyl ether extract of this plant has been shown to have antimicrobial activity against fungi and Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of this work was to study the activity of N. cataria extract on 44 Staphylococcus aureus strains, some resistant to methicillin, and S. aureus 6538P (American Type Culture Collection) by evaluating the effect of subminimum inhibitory concentrations on coagulase, DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase production, and on in-vitro adherence. DNAse, thermonuclease and lipase were inhibited by concentrations equal to 1/2 and 1/4 MIC. A reduction of adherence was also observed.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento Farmaco-Biologico, Facoltà di Farmacia-Sezione di Microbiologia, Università di Messina, Villaggio Annunziata, 98168, Messina, Italy. atnostro@pharma.unime.it
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nostro
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Cannatelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Crisafi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Alonzo
mesh_terms: D001422:Bacterial Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D003030:Coagulase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004986:Ether; D006801:Humans; D008049:Lipase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease / Q000096:biosynthesis; D027521:Nepeta; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003030:Coagulase; D010936:Plant Extracts; D004986:Ether; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D008049:Lipase; D008836:Micrococcal Nuclease