Marked potentiation of activity of beta-lactams against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by corilagin

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2001 Nov;45(11):3198-201. doi: 10.1128/AAC.45.11.3198-3201.2001.

Abstract

We found that an extract of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi markedly reduced the MICs of beta-lactam antibiotics, such as oxacillin and cefmetazole, against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We isolated the effective compound and identified it as corilagin. Corilagin reduced the MICs of various beta-lactams by 100- to 2,000-fold but not the MICs of other antimicrobial agents tested. The effect of corilagin and oxacillin was synergistic. Corilagin showed a bactericidal action when added to the growth medium in combination with oxacillin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Drug Synergism
  • Glucosides / pharmacology*
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Methicillin Resistance*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Oxacillin / pharmacology
  • Penicillins / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Glucosides
  • Hydrolyzable Tannins
  • Penicillins
  • Plant Extracts
  • corilagin
  • Oxacillin