ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ALLICIN ON METHICILLIN RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) – AN IN VITRO STUDY

T. K. Ponnuswamy* and S. Jeyalakshmi

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the antibacterial effect of Allicin on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus. Materials and Methods: It was an invitro study, spread over a period of two months (June, 2006 to July, 2006). Study commenced after getting approval from Institutional Human Ethical Committee (IEC). Thirteen clinical MRSA strains were isolated from patients admitted to inpatient departments of PSGIMSR&H. The zone of inhibition of oxacillin, vancomycin, allicin were noted down. Results: 1% allicin showed antibacterial activity against MRSA in 3 of the 13 isolates. Chisquare test with correction was used to compare the effect of allicin and vancomycin on MRSA. The results showed P value < 0.001 which was statistically significant. Conclusion: 1% allicin showed antibacterial activity against methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus.

Keywords: Allicin, MRSA, Antibacterial activity, Vancomycin.