Cymbopogon giganteus chiov. Essential oil: Direct effects or activity in combination with antibiotics against multi-drug resistant bacteria

Abstract

The discovery of new antimicrobial agents is necessary due to the emergence of multi-drug bacterial resistance. The aim of this work was to study the direct and indirect antimicrobial activity of a Beninese sample of Cymbopogon giganteus essential oil (EOCG) on multi-drug resistant clinical bacteria, its chemical composition, and its cytotoxicity. Direct antimicrobial activity was tested by determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and indirect activity, by determining Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index using checkerboard [fractional inhibitory concentration indices (FICI); synergy: FICI ≤ 0.5; additivity: 0.5