Evaluation of Eugenol effect, active compound of clove oil, on growth inhibition of methicillin resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus through potential interaction with PBP2 and downregulation of mecA gene

Eugenol is the major constituents of clove oil, which is known as an anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant agent. Staphylococcus aureus is most common pathogens that cause nosocomial infections and some bacterial infections death. In this study, the effect of Eugenol on the expression of mecA gene and the interaction with mecA protein (PBP2a) was evaluated in methicillin resistant isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

Antibacterial activity of Eugenol was investigated in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus with DISC diffusion, MIC and MBC. Interaction between Eugenol and mecA protein (PBP2) was evaluated with bioinformatic approaches. The expression of mecA gene was assessed in Eugenol treated and untreated isolates by Q-RT-PCR.

results of this study showed that Eugenol inhibited bacterial growth in the DISCs in 80% of Staphylococcus aureus isolates. MIC and MBC of Eugenol in the most isolates were determined 5.22 mg/ml and 10.44 mg/ml, respectively. In silico analysis showed interaction between Eugenol and mecA protein (PBP2). mecA gene downregulated in Eugenol treated isolates (5.22 mg/ml) in compared to control.

It seems that Eugenol led to growth inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus isolates through both interaction with PBP2 and mecA gene downregulation.