Antagonistic Antibacterial Effect of Betel and Red Betel Combination against Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria

Abstract

Treatment with a combination of drugs has been used as an approach to overcome bacterial resistance. The combination of compounds can have synergistic, addictive, or antagonistic effects. The synergistic effect of antibacterial compounds combined is expected to increase antibacterial activity so as to prevent the occurrence of resistance. Betel (Piper betle L.) and red betel (Piper crocatum Ruiz & Pav.) leaves have antibacterial activity. This study compared the antibacterial activity of betel, red betel, to the combinations of betel and red betel. The antibacterial activity was measured using paper disk diffusion method, against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. The combination of betel and red betel showed the lower antibacterial activity than betel or red betel alone. The effect of betel and red betel combination showed antagonistic antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis or Eschericia coli. The results showed that there was no significant difference between betel and red betel antibacterial activity against the three bacteria. There is a decrease in activity when betel and betel red are combined, compared to their single material. It seemed that there was an antagonistic effect when they are combined so that it is recommended to use them separately.