title: Inhibition of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) by combination of ampicillin and a bioactive fraction from Duabanga grandiflora.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The inhibition of penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) is a promising solution in overcoming resistance of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A potential approach in achieving this is by combining natural product with currently available antibiotics to restore the activity as well as to amplify the therapeutic ability of the drugs. We studied inhibition effects of a bioactive fraction, F-10 (isolated from the leaves of Duabanga grandiflora) alone and in combination with a beta-lactam drug, ampicillin on MRSA growth and expression of PBP2a. Additionally, phytochemical analysis was conducted on F-10 to identify the classes of phytochemicals present.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fractionation of the ethyl acetate leaf extract was achieved by successive column chromatography which eventually led to isolation of an active fraction, F-10. Both extract and F-10 were analyzed for the presence of major classes of phytochemicals in addition to obtaining a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile to reveal the complexity of the fraction F-10. Broth microdilution method was employed to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract and fractions against MRSA. Evaluation of synergistic activity of the active fraction with ampicillin was determined using checkerboard methodand kinetic growth experiments. Effect of combination treatments on expression of PBP2a, a protein that confers resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, was elucidated with the Western blot assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MIC of F-10 against MRSA was 750 mg/L which showed an improved activity by 4-fold compared to its crude extract (MIC = 3000 mg/L). Phytochemical analysis revealed occurrence of tannins, saponin, flavonoids, sterols, and glycosides in F10 fraction. In FIC index interpretation, the most synergistic activity was achieved for combinations of 1/64 × MIC ampicillin + 1/4 × MIC F-10. The combination also evidently inhibited MRSA growth in kinetic growth curve assay. As a result of this synergistic interaction, MIC of ampicillin against MRSA was reduced to 0.78 mg/L (64-fold) from initial value of 50 mg/L. Western blot analysis suggested inhibition of PBP2a in MRSA cultures grown in synergistic combination treatment in which no PBP2a band was expressed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrated synergism between fraction F-10 of D. grandiflora with ampicillin in suppressing MRSA growth via PBP2a inhibition.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. Carolina.Santiago@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Santiago
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. EeLeen.Pang@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Ee Leen
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. Kuanhon.Lim@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Kuan-Hon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. Sandy.Loh@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Hwei-San
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Loh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science, University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus, Jalan Broga, 43500, Semenyih, Selangor, Malaysia. Kang-Nee.Ting@nottingham.edu.my.
authors.forename: Kang Nee
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Ting
mesh_terms: D000667:Ampicillin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D029561:Lythraceae; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D016106:Methicillin Resistance / Q000187:drug effects*; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047090:beta-Lactams; D000667:Ampicillin; D008712:Methicillin