Objective To determine the antimicrobial
activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the
synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods The
inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract, alone and
in combination with cefuroxime, were studied.
Results The minimum
inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the
range of 0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were
usually equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of
combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their
synergistic effects against all MRSAs.
Conclusions The present work
clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of
susceptibility to β-lactams.