Antimicrobial Potential of Mazus japonicus and Fumaria indica Extracts: Individual vs. Synergistic Effect

Abstract

Solvent extracts of Mazus japonicus and Fumaria indica were investigated individually and in combinations (1:1, 1:2, or 2:1) for their antibacterial potency against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas geniculata, Streptomyces laurentii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Microbacterium oxydans, Alcaligenes faecalis, and Enterococcus faecium. Minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) were investigated. Petroleum ether extracts showed moderate (6.06 mg.mL–1 MIC for M. japonicus and 1.65 mg.mL–1 MIC for F. indica), aqueous extract had the lowest, 1.619 mg.mL–1 MIC for M. japonicus and18.36 mg.mL–1 MIC of F. indica), and methanolic extract showed the highest (0.740 mg.mL–1 MIC for M. japonicus and 1.065 mg.mL–1 MIC for F. indica) antibacterial activities (individual analysis). When analyzing mixtures, none of the aqueous extracts showed synergistic effect against any bacteria. Methanolic extract mixtures demonstrated synergy against B. subtilis (0.082 mg.mL–1 MIC with 2:1); the petroleum ether mixes showed synergy against B. subtilis (0.312 mg.mL–1 MIC with 1:2 mixture), E. faecium (0.981 mg.mL–1 MIC by 1:1 mixture), K. pneumoniae (2.022 mg.mL–1 MIC by 1:2 mixture), and M. oxydans (0.848 mg.mL–1 MIC by 2:1 M: F mixture). The aqueous extracts had higher concentrations of alkaloids, saponins, and steroids than other solvent extracts.