Evaluation of the antibacterial activity of selected Pakistani honeys against multi-drug resistant Salmonella typhi

Abstract

BackgroundThe development of resistance to conventional anti-typhoid drugs and the recent emergence of fluoroquinolone resistance have made it very difficult and expensive to treat typhoid fever. As the therapeutic strategies become even more limited, it is imperative to investigate non-conventional modalities. In this context, honey is a potential candidate for combating antimicrobial resistance because it contains a broad repertoire of antibacterial compounds which act synergistically at multiple sites, thus making it less likely that the bacteria will become resistant. The in vitro antibacterial activity of 100 unifloral honey samples against a blood culture isolate of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Salmonella typhi were investigated.MethodsAll honey samples were evaluated for both total (acidity, osmolarity, hydrogen peroxide and non-peroxide activity) and plant derived non-peroxide antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay at 50% and 25% dilution in sterile distilled water and 25% in catalase solution. Manuka (Unique Manuka Factor-21) honey was used for comparison. The phenol equivalence of each honey sample from 2% to 7% (w/v) phenol was obtained from regression analysis. The antibacterial potential of each honey sample was expressed as its equivalent phenol concentration. The honey samples which showed antibacterial activity equivalent to or greater than manuka honey were considered therapeutically active honeys.ResultsNineteen honey samples (19%) displayed higher hydrogen peroxide related antibacterial activity (16–20% phenol), which is more than that of manuka honey (21-UMF). A total of 30% of the honey samples demonstrated antibacterial activity between 11 and 15% phenol similar to that of manuka honey while 51% of the honey samples did not exhibit any zone of inhibition against MDR-S. typhi at 50% (w/v) dilution. None of the indigenous honey samples displayed non-peroxide antibacterial activity. Only manuka honey showed non-peroxide antibacterial activity at 25% dilution (w/v) in catalase solution.ConclusionsThe honey samples which displayed antibacterial activity equal to or greater than manuka honey may be useful in the clinical conditions where higher hydrogen peroxide related antibacterial activity is required. Manuka honey, which is known to possess non-peroxide antibacterial activity, warrants further evaluation in a suitable typhoid animal model.

In vitro evaluation of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus susceptibility to Saudi honeys

“…The variation existed not only between different floral honeys but also between honeys with the same floral origins (Tables 2 and 3 Tables 2 and 3). The reason for variation in the potency of antibacterial activity of honey sharing a floral origin could be due to climatic conditions, soil composition and geographical areas of honey collection [26]. Variation in the level of antibacterial activity of honeys between different floral honey sources and within the same flora source has been reported in other studies as well [40,41].…”

“…This result means that these honeys have high H 2 O 2 activity in comparison with that of Manuka honey. In some previous studies, Beri, Jarrah, Buckwheat and Ulmo honeys were identified as possessors of high H 2 O 2 − related antibacterial activity [26,35,48]. H 2 O 2 is an important contributor to the antibacterial activity of honey and is present in variable concentrations in .…”

“…Therefore, it is important to evaluate new honeys with high levels of antibacterial activity that are locally produced and affordable. Previously, we reported the susceptibility of multidrug-resistant Salmonella typhi to honey and conducted a clinical trial of impregnated honey dressings for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers [17,26]. Honey is widely consumed in Saudi Arabia as a preventive and curative agent for several human illnesses in addition to its popular usage as food [27].…”

Study of Synergy between Mentha pulegium Essential Oil, Honey and Bacteriocin-like Inhibitory Substance E204 against Listeria monocytogenes CECT 4032 and Escherichia coli K12

“…The essential oil of M. pulegium has been proven effective against E. coli and L. monocytogenes by several authors (Mahboubi and Haghi, 2008;Marzouk et al, 2008). Honey was shown activity against several bacterial strains including E. coli and L. monocytogenes (Vorlova et al, 2005;Rodriguez et al, 2012;Hussain et al, 2015). Bacteriocin has already demonstrated potent antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes (Khay et al, 2013).…”

Study Antibacterial Activity of Honey Against Some Common Species of Pathogenic Bacteria

“…Additionally, Hussein et al (2015) [20] evaluated the antibacterial activity of honey against gram positive and gram negative bacteria and they found that the most effective concentration was 40% or above.…”