Investigation of the antimicrobial effect of curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from wound infections
Investigation of the antimicrobial effect of curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from wound infections
Elnaz Vatani,1Azad Khaledi,2,*Mohammad Shayesteh puor,3
1. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Iran 2. Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Iran 3. Department of Bacteriology and Virology , School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan , Iran
Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the major causes
of burn infections. This bacterium is resistant to many antibiotics, so finding new antimicrobial
compounds such as plant extracts and nanoparticles is essential for controlling this bacterium.
The plant extract of Chouvil and the nanoparticle of curcumin due to their antibacterial and anti-
inflammatory properties can be a suitable candidate for replacing antibiotics. The aim of this
study is to determine the effect of curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract on the
growth rate of bacteria and changes in eno gene expression in methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus isolates separated from burn wound infections.
Methods: In this experimental study, the effects of Chouvil plant extract and
curcumin nanoparticles on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates
separated from burn wound infections were examined. PCR genotyping was used to confirm
MRSA strains. To investigate the effects of curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract on
bacterial growth rate, MIC assay was performed, and for the combination synergy, the FIC
method was used. Relative changes in eno gene expression were examined using the Real-Time
PCR technique, and cellular toxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay.
Results: According to the results , curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant
extract at a concentration of 625 µg/mL inhibited the growth of MRSA strains. The synergistic
effect of curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract was observed at a concentration of
312.5 µg/mL. The simultaneous use of both compounds or each one alone did not show
significant cytotoxic effects on HDF skin cells at the mentioned concentrations. The combination
of these two compounds caused a decrease in eno gene expression in bacteria by 1.4 to 3.12 fold
(compared to the control group).
Conclusion: Curcumin nanoparticles and Chouvil plant extract had acceptable antibacterial
properties and caused a significant decrease in the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) isolates separated from burn wound infections and a decrease in the expression
of the pathogenic eno gene. Therefore, these compounds can be considered for the treatment of
burn infections caused by MRSA bacteria.