title: Phytochemical prospection and modulation of aminoglycoside antibiotic activity by Croton campestris A.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Escherichia coli is known to produce enterotoxins whose properties and role in diarrheal disease have been extensively investigated; besides, this bacterium is related to several extra-intestinal problems in the intensive care unit and in surgical wound infections. Some species of Staphylococcus are recognized as etiological agents of opportunistic infections in animals and humans. This study is the first test on the modulation of antibiotic activity by Croton campestris A. against multiresistant strains of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the hexane and methanol extract of C. campestris A. was tested for antibacterial activity alone and in combination with aminoglycosides against bacterial strains. The synergy of the methanol and hexane extract was verified by microdilution method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A synergistic effect of both extracts combined with the aminoglycosides was demonstrated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that the extracts from C. campestris A. could be used as a source of natural product derived from this plant with resistance-modifying antibacterial activity, providing a new weapon against the problem of bacterial resistance to antibiotics.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, University of the Region of Cariri, Crato, Brazil.
authors.forename: E F F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Matias
authors.forename: K K A
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: T S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: J G M
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: H D M
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Coutinho
mesh_terms: D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D029802:Croton / Q000737:chemistry*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects*; D006586:Hexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D006586:Hexanes; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000432:Methanol