The Usage of Zataria Multiflora Essential Oil for the Treatment of Wound Infection Caused by Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) effectively inhibited the growth of different microorganisms. The present study aimed to investigate the synergistic effect of ZMEO in combination with ciprofloxacin for inhibition of ciprofloxacin-resistant P. aeruginosa (CR P. aeruginosa) and management of wound infection that was caused by this bacterium in the rat. ZMEO was prepared and analyzed using gas chromatography (GC). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the this compound was determined against CR P. aeruginosa. The inhibitory effect of ZMEO was evaluated against efflux pump-related genes using real-time PCR. The synergistic effect of ciprofloxacin and ZMEO was evaluated using the checkerboard method. Afterward, the ZMEO was used to treat CR P. aeruginosa wound infection in the Wistar rats model. The ZMEO exhibited a MIC of 512 μg/mL against CR P. aeruginosa, and this compound suppressed the expression of efflux pump-related genes. A synergistic effect between ZMEO and ciprofloxacin was detected against CR P. aeruginosa. The in vivo findings also revealed that ZMEO exhibited a substantial inhibitory effect on bacterial growth in animal wounds (P < 0.05). The macroscopic evaluations indicated a notable improvement in wound healing in the animals treated with ZMEO. Tissue evaluation also demonstrated that this treatment significantly augments re-epithelialization and decreased inflammatory cells (P < 0.05). Therefore, combining ZMEO and ciprofloxacin can significantly inhibit CR P. aeruginosa, and ZMEO should be considered a helpful promise for managing wound infection caused by drug-resistant bacteria.