Synergistic Effects of Honey and Propolis toward Drug Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus, Escherichia Coli and Candida Albicans Isolates in Single and Polymicrobial Cultures

Abstract

Background: Propolis and honey are natural bee products with wide range of biological and medicinal properties. The study investigated antimicrobial activity of ethyl alcohol extraction of propolis collected from Saudi Arabia (EEPS) and from Egypt (EEPE), and their synergistic effect when used with honey. Single and polymicrobial cultures of antibiotic resistant human pathogens were tested.Material and methods; Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus),), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C.albicans) were cultured in 10-100% (v/v) honey diluted in broth, or 0.08-1.0% (weight/volume) EEPS and EEPE diluted in broth. Four types of polymicrobial cultures were prepared by culturing the isolates with each other in broth (control) and broth containing various concentrations of honey or propolis. Microbial growth was assessed on solid plate media after 24 h incubation.Results; EEPS and EEPE inhibited antibiotic resistant E.coli, and S.aureus, and C.albicans in single and polymicrobial cultures. S.aureus became more susceptible when it was cultured with E.coli or C.albicans or when all cultured together. C.albicans became more susceptible when it was cultured with S.aureus or with E.coli and S. aureus together. The presence of ethyl alcohol or honey potentiated antimicrobial effect of propolis toward entire microbes tested in single or polymicrobial cultures. EEPS had lower MIC toward E.coli and C.albicans than EEPE. When propolis was mixed with honey, EEPS showed lower MIC than EEPE. In addition, honey showed lower MIC toward entire microbes when mixed with EEPS than when it was mixed with EEPE.Conclusion; 1) propolis prevents the growth of the microorganisms in single and mixed microbial cultures, and has synergistic effect when used with honey or ethyl alcohol, 2) the antimicrobial property of propolis varies with geographical origin, and 3) this study will pave the way to isolate active ingredients from honey and propolis to be further tested individually or in combination against human resistant infections.

Combinations of Extracts of Propolis and Other Compounds Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

“…According to the research conducted by Waili et al [29] on the synergistic efects of propolis extracts with ethyl alcohol on S. aureus and our studies agree that potentiates the efect of propolis another drug on S. aureus isolates; with the diference that Waili used as a second active substance honey; and this work highlighted the efects of propolis in combination with extracts of oregano.…”

Bee Products and Essential Oils as Alternative Agents for Treatment of Infections Caused by S. aureus

“…Some of 39 South Africa propolis samples exhibited much higher antistaphylococcal activity in comparison to three tested samples of Brazilian propolis with MIC and MBC values of only 6 μg/mL [51]. Al-Waili and coworkers revealed that ethanolic extracts of propolis collected from Saudi Arabia (EEPS) and from Egypt (EEPE) efectively inhibited the growth of antibiotic resistant E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans in single and polymicrobial cultures [52]. Strong antioxidant and antibacterial activity of propolis sourced from three diferent areas of Sonoran Desert in northwestern Mexico were conirmed in the research of Velazquez group [53].…”

Water Soluble Propolis and Royal Jelly Enhance the Antimicrobial Activity of Honeys and Promote the Growth of Human Macrophage Cell Line

“…The antimicrobial activity of the combination of RJ and honey was studied [37,38], and the additive activity of RJ and honey against P. aeruginosa was found, as comparison with the experiments in this study, where the water soluble F-RJ (M) did not affect the Forest honey in term of statistically stronger antimicrobial activity. Al-Waili et al [39] also analysed the antimicrobial activity of the combination of ethanol extract of propolis and honey from Saudi Arabia, and found the synergism between the ethanol extract of Saudi propolis or Egyptian propolis with honey from Saudi Arabia in term of killing of MRSA, E. coli and C. albicans. These data are comparable with this study, despite the WSP Greit120 was used in combination with Forest honey.…”