The emergence of drug-resistant microorganisms presents a substantial global public health threat. The increase in pathogens resistant to commonly prescribed antibiotics underscores the urgent requirement to explore alternative treatment strategies. This study adopts a novel approach by harnessing natural resources, specifically essential oils (EO), to combat bacterial pathogenicity. The primary aim of this research was to analyze the chemical composition of the aerial part of the Matricaria aurea (M. aureas) EO and evaluate its potential for inhibiting quorum sensing (QS) and disrupting biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis unveiled that α-bisabolol oxide A constituted the predominant portion, comprising 64.8% of the total, with β-bisabolene at 6.3% and α-farnesene at 4.8% following closely behind. The antibiofilm efficacy was observed at concentrations of 0.3, 0.15, and 0.08 mg/mL, demonstrating negligible effects on cell viability. Furthermore, the EO from M. aurea effectively inhibited the formation of P. aeruginosa biofilms by diminishing aggregation, hydrophobicity, and swarming motility. Significantly, the EO treatment resulted in a conspicuous decrease in the production of pyocyanin, rhamnolipid, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), along with a reduction in the enzymatic activity of protease and chitinase. The EO effectively hindered QS by disrupting QS mechanisms, resulting in a marked decline in the secretion of N-Acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) molecules and the expression of phazA1 and aprA genes. This investigation offers compelling evidence supporting the potential of M. aurea EO as a promising therapeutic candidate for addressing infectious diseases induced by biofilm formation.

Artemisia herba-alba (AHA), known as sheeh in Jordan, is recommended by regional traditional healers for the treatment of a variety of diseases. AHA has been used in folk medicine to treat colds, coughing, bronchitis, intestinal disturbances, diarrhea, neuralgias, arterial hypertension, and diabetes. The objectives of the current study were to identify the chemical compositions of the essential oil extracted from dried leaf powder of AHA cultivated in Jordan and investigate its antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The essential oil was isolated using hydro distillation, and the identification of artemisia herba-alba essential oil (AHEO) composition was performed using validated gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The antibacterial activity of AHEO was assessed against escherichia coli, pseudomonas aeruginosa, klebsiella pneumonia, and staphylococcus aureus and two clinical isolates (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus epidermidis [MRSE]) using a disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values, using the micro-dilution broth method. Additionally, antioxidant activities were determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. The results revealed that the yield of AHEO was 4.41% v/w, with nearly 22 identified compounds, constituting approximately 96.80% of the total mass of essential oils. Monoterpenoids was the major compounds (71.90%), with alpha pinene being the major component, accounting for 17.20% of the composition. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 43.97 mg GAE/g and 30.11 mg CE/g, respectively. The antibacterial activity of AHEO against MRSE exhibited the highest inhibitory effect, while E.coli showed the highest MBC value. Furthermore, AHEO demonstrated significant antioxidant activity (IC50= 64.57 and 34.01 for DPPH and ABTS, respectively). The results indicate that AHEO possess good antioxidant and antibacterial properties, suggesting that they may be used as a supplementary food and antimicrobial agent.

Resistance to antibiotics is a significant public health issue in preventing infectious diseases. This study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of eucalyptol, γ-terpinene, p-cymol and punicalagin against Methicillin (Oxacillin) resistant strains. The synergistic effect of these compounds with cefotaxime against Staphylococcus aureus was investigated. The lowest MIC value observed was 0.08mg/mL for punicalagin against S. aureus, followed by the MIC values of punicalagin against E. aerogenes, E. coli and K. pneumoniae (0.16 - 0.63mg/mL). The activity of p-cymol against S. aureus is ranked second, as indicated by the MIC value (0.63mg/mL). The results of the combination study showed that the maximum Increase in Folding Area (IFA) was reported when punicalagin was combined with cefoxitin, cefotaxime, oxacillin, and piperacillin. An effective IFA was observed when p-cymol was tested with piperacillin, cefixime, cefotaxime, oxacillin, and cefoxitin. Based on the checkerboard assay, the MIC of cefotaxime decreased from 60 to 7.5µg/mL when combined with punicalagin indicating a significant synergistic effect between cefotaxime and punicalagin against S. aureus. In conclusion, punicalagin improved S. aureus susceptibility to cefotaxime, suggesting that using these two medicines together can reverse beta-lactam resistance in methicillin (oxacillin) resistant S. aureus. Further works are required to generalize this result and then it may be useful for treating diseases caused by methicillin (oxacillin) resistant strains.

Objectives: To investigate the genetic diversity and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from healthcare workers in a Jordanian hospital, focusing on the role of the mecA gene in antibiotic resistance. Methods: A total of 25 staphylococcus aureus isolates were collected from healthcare workers’ skin, nasal passages, and environmental sources. Biochemical tests identified MRSA isolates, and DNA extraction was followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 16SrRNA gene for genetic analysis. The sequences were analyzed using phylogenetic methods, sequence demarcation tool (SDT) analysis, and median-joining network analysis to determine genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships. Results: Out of the 25 staphylococcus aureus isolates, 10 were identified as methicillin-resistant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct clustering patterns, indicating genetic heterogeneity. SDT analysis highlighted the genetic complexity of the MRSA strains. The median-joining network identified haplotype 1 as the predominant haplotype, underscoring significant genetic diversity. The mecA gene was detected in all MRSA isolates, emphasizing its critical role in methicillin resistance. Conclusion: The study demonstrates significant genetic diversity among MRSA isolates from healthcare workers in a Jordanian hospital, with the mecA gene playing a vital role in antibiotic resistance. These findings underscore the importance of molecular diagnostics in MRSA detection and the need for targeted infection control strategies to manage antibiotic resistance effectively in healthcare settings.

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of diosmin, a plant-derived flavonoid glycoside, against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), in response to the growing challenge of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Methods: The antibacterial activity of diosmin was assessed against five clinical MRSA isolates using broth microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Antibiofilm activity was evaluated using crystal violet biofilm assay. Additionally, cell viability within biofilms was measured using a triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) assay. Results: Diosmin demonstrated a consistent MIC of 1.0 mg/mL and MBC of 2.0 mg/mL across all tested MRSA isolates, indicating primarily bacteriostatic activity at lower concentrations. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner, with reductions ranging from 52% to 79% at 1.5 mg/mL. The minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC50) values ranged from 0.0048 mg/mL to 0.0350 mg/mL. TTC assay results showed that diosmin significantly reduced viable biofilm-embedded cells at concentrations equal to or above the MIC, while sub-MIC concentrations exhibited minimal cytotoxic effects, suggesting non-lethal antibiofilm mechanisms. Conclusion: Diosmin exhibits promising antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against MRSA, with effective inhibition of biofilm formation and reduction of viable cells. These findings support its potential as a natural alternative or adjunct therapeutic agent for managing MRSA infections.