Influence of Curcumin on the Synthetic Drug Amoxicillin

Background and Objective: During the last two decades it was proven that turmeric is a potent herbal. Curcumin has been subjected to a variety of antimicrobial activity due to extensive traditional uses and less side effects. Antimicrobial activity for curcumin against different bacterial strains has been already reported. Indeed, numerous investigations have been carried out to amplify the antimicrobial potential of curcumin, including synthesis of different chemical derivatives to increase its water solubility as well as bioavailability. This study aims to investigate the effect of antimicrobial activity of curcumin in combination with synthetic drug. So, as to reduce the dose of synthetic drug and so will the chance of resistance caused due to antibiotics be by a large reduced. Curcumin is a key component of turmeric and turmeric is widely used as a dietary component in everyday life especially in India. Hence, the objective was to be study the effect of curcumin and antibiotic when taken concurrently. Methods: Pour plate method was used against standard bacterial strains such as Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC-29213), Escherichia coli (ATCC-8739), Proteus vulgaris (ATCC-13315), Salmonela typhi (ATCC-23564). Results: Curcumin showed prominent anti-microbial activity at 100 μg mLG observed individually against following strains E. coli, S. aureus, P. vulgaris, E. aerogenes and S. typhi. Where zone of inhibition was found to be 13, 11, 12, 13 and 14 mm, respectively. Antimicrobial activity of amoxicillin was compared with a combination (Curcumin 100 μg mLG and Amoxicillin 10 μg mLG) and the results demonstrated that the activity in combination as compared to amoxicillin alone which was evident from the zone of inhibition Escherichia coli from 20-15 mm (25%), Staphylococcus aureus from 30-25 mm (17%), Proteus vulgaris from 25-22 mm (12%), Enterobacter aerogenes from 25-22 mm (12%) and Salmonella typhi from 25-21 mm (16%). Conclusion: Thus the present study revealed that curcumin has an antagonistic effect when used in combination with amoxicillin. Thus, the study gives clear evidence that microbial activity of antibiotics is reduced when used in combination with turmeric.