Journal article
Antibacterial and synergistic effects of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Molecular biology reports, Vol.53(1), pp.1-11
04/02/2026
PMID: 41636916
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
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Abstract
Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a significant public health concern due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics, primarily mediated by the gene mecA, which encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), considering the growing global demand for novel antimicrobial strategies.
Materials and methods: A clinical MRSA strain harboring the gene mecA was identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil. The strain's susceptibility to multiple antibiotics was assessed and the synergistic effect of Z. multiflora essential oil and cefoxitin was also evaluated. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to identify the bioactive compounds in the essential oil. Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate the competitive binding affinity of those compounds to PBP2x.
Results: The MRSA strain exhibited resistance to all tested antibiotics except linezolid. The MIC and MBC values for Z. multiflora essential oil were 3.125 mg.mL-1and 6.25 mg.mL-1, respectively, for the reference S. aureus strain (ATCC 25923), and 6.25 mg.mL-1
for both MIC and MBC for the clinical MRSA strain. The synergy assay demonstrated an enhanced inhibition zone for cefoxitin in combination with Z. multiflora essential oil, indicating a synergistic interaction. Molecular docking studies revealed strong binding interactions between spathulenol, isospathulenol, and aromadendrene comparable to clinically used β-lactam antibiotics.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the significant antibacterial activity of Z. multiflora essential oil against MRSA and its potential to enhance the efficacy of cefoxitin through synergistic interactions among the inhibitors of natural origin for PBP2x.
Details
- Title
- Antibacterial and synergistic effects of Shirazi thyme (Zataria multiflora) essential oil against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
- Creators
- Kimiya Kazemi Esfeh - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesMitra Dadgar - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesZahra Dargahi - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical SciencesArmin Khaleghjoo - Abadan University of Medical SciencesEhsan Ghasemi - Abadan University of Medical SciencesForouzan Absalan - Abadan University of Medical SciencesEbrahim Barzegari - Kermanshah University of Medical SciencesMostafa Jamalan - Abadan University of Medical Sciences
- Publication Details
- Molecular biology reports, Vol.53(1), pp.1-11
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Identifiers
- 991013400556402368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. 2026
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article