The antimicrobial activity synergism between eucalyptus honey, pomegranate, date and antibiotics on Escherichia coli causing diarrhea in children

The antibiotic resistance of bacteria has been on a steady rise and there is a desperate need to search for substances with antimicrobial activity as an alternative treatment agents. In spite of the fact that the antimicrobial activity of syrups has been extensively investigated against a wide range of microbes, it varies according to the type of these syrups. The objective of this study was to verify the synergistic activity between the eucalyptus honey, pomegranate and date syrups with antibiotics ampicillin and cefotaxime against Escherichia coli. The antibacterial activity testing of these syrups and antibiotics was conducted by well diffusion technique using paper disks containing the antibiotic concentrations. In addition, disk diffusion technique was used to test the activity of antibiotics alone against E. coli. Different concentrations of syrups were studied against the bacterial strain tested. In both methods Nutrient agar and Brain heart infusion agar were used. The tested isolate E. coli was supplied by Kerbala Public Health Laboratory, Iraq. The procedures of the current study were conducted at postgraduate lab, Biology Department, College of Sciences, Kerbala University between September and December 2017. E. coli was resistant against antibiotics or syrups alone. The synergistic action between syrups and antibiotics showed antibacterial activity against tested bacteria. In conclusion, honey, pomegranate and date syrups improved the activity of antibiotics used, and thus, confer assistance for the use of these antibiotics.