title: Antibacterial and efflux pump inhibitors of thymol and carvacrol against food-borne pathogens.
abstract: In this study thymol (THY) and carvacrol (CAR), two monoterpenic phenol produced by various aromatic plants, was tested for their antibacterial and efflux pump inhibitors potencies against a panel of clinical and foodborne pathogenes. Our results demonstrated a substantial susceptibility of the tested bacteria toward THY and CAR. Especially, THY displayed a strong inhibitory activity (MIC's values ranged from 32 to 64 μg/mL) against the majority of the tested strains compared to CAR. Moreover, a significant reduction in MIC's of TET and benzalkonium chloride (QAC) were noticed when tested in combinations with THY and CAR. Their synergic effect was more significant in the case of THY which resulted a reduction of MIC's values of TET (2-8 fold) and QAC (2-8 fold). We noted also that THY and CAR inhibited the ethidium bromide (EtBr) cell efflux in a concentration-dependent manner. The rate of EtBr accumulation in food-borne pathogen was enhanced with THY and CAR (0, 250 and 500 μg/mL). The lowest concentration causing 50% of EtBr efflux inhibition (IC 50) was noticed in Salmonella enteritidis (1129) at 150 μg/mL of THY and 190 μg/mL of CAR respectively. These findings indicate that THY and CAR may serve as potential sources of efflux pump inhibitor in food-borne pathogens.
authors: Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Polluants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir University, Tunisia.
authors: Hanene
authors: H
authors: Miladi
authors: Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Polluants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir University, Tunisia.
authors: Tarek
authors: T
authors: Zmantar
authors: Laboratory of Bacteriology and Molecular Biology, Hôspital of Ibn El JAZZAR, Kairouan, Tunisia.
authors: Yassine
authors: Y
authors: Chaabouni
authors: Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Polluants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir University, Tunisia.
authors: Kais
authors: K
authors: Fedhila
authors: Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Polluants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir University, Tunisia.
authors: Amina
authors: A
authors: Bakhrouf
authors: Laboratory of Analysis, Treatment and Valorisation of Environment Polluants and Products, Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir University, Tunisia; Laboratory of Bacteriology and Molecular Biology, Hôspital of Ibn El JAZZAR, Kairouan, Tunisia.
authors: Kacem
authors: K
authors: Mahdouani
authors: College of Sciences, Yanbu el Bahr, Taibah University, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: chaieb_mo@yahoo.fr.
authors: Kamel
authors: K
authors: Chaieb
mesh_terms: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D001693:Biological Transport, Active / Q000187:drug effects*; D000081007:Cymenes; D004357:Drug Synergism; D004996:Ethidium / Q000378:metabolism; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D039821:Monoterpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013752:Tetracycline / Q000494:pharmacology; D013943:Thymol / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001548:Benzalkonium Compounds; D000081007:Cymenes; D039821:Monoterpenes; D064209:Phytochemicals; D013943:Thymol; C073316:carvacrol; D004996:Ethidium; D013752:Tetracycline
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Carvacrol; Efflux pump inhibitors; Multidrug-resistant; Thymol