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In this paper, we studied the antibacterial effects of oregano essential oil (OEO) both alone, using a twofold dilution method, and combined with antibiotics, using a checkerboard microtitre assay, against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. The result indicated that multiple drug-resistant E. coli was very sensitive to OEO and polymycin; their minimal inhibitory concentration values are 0.5 microL mL(-1) and 0.8 microg mL(-1). The antibacterial effects of OEO in combination with kanamycin were independent against E. coli, with fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices of 1.5. The antibacterial effects of OEO combined with amoxicillin, polymycin, and lincomycin showed an additive effect against E. coli, with FIC indices in the range of 0.625-0.750. The antibacterial effects of OEO in combination with fluoroquinolones, doxycycline, lincomycin, and maquindox florfenicol displayed synergism against E. coli, with FIC indices ranging from 0.375 to 0.500. The combination of OEO with fluoroquinolones, doxycycline, lincomycin, and maquindox florfenicol to treat infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli may lower, to a great extent, the effective dose of these antibiotics and thus minimize the side effects of antibiotics. This is the first report on OEO against ESBL-producing E. coli.

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Cyclophosphamide (CTX), a common anticancer drug, can cause a variety of side effects such as immunosuppression and intestinal mucosal injury. Polysaccharides are the major bioactive components of the roots of Millettia Speciosa Champ and have gained attention for their immunomodulatory activity. This study was designed to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of Millettia Speciosa Champ polysaccharide (MSCP) on CTX-induced mice and the possible mechanism. The results showed that MSCP attenuated the CTX-induced decrease in body weight and immune organ indices in mice and promoted the secretion of immune-related cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α, and IgG). Meanwhile, MSCP restored intestinal morphology, increased the ratio of villus height/crypt depth (V/C), and improved the number of goblet cells and mucins expression. At the mRNA level, MSCP activated the TLRs/MyD88/NF-κB p65 pathway and enhanced the expression of genes related to intestinal mucosal integrity (Occludin1, Claudin1, and MUC-2). In addition, MSCP as a prebiotic improved microbial community diversity, regulated the relative abundance of dominant microbiota from the phylum level to the genus level, restored CTX-induced gut microbial dysbiosis, and promoted short-chain fatty acid production in mice. Based on the present findings, MSCP may modulate the immune response depending on enhancing intestinal health, suggesting that MSCP holds promise as a promising immunostimulant in functional foods and drugs.