Effect of Artemisia ciniformis Extract on Expression of NorA Efflux Pump Gene in Ciprofloxacin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by Real Time PCR

Background: Activity of norA efflux pump is one of the antibiotic resistance mechanisms in ciprofloxacin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. In this study, the effect of Artemisia ciniformis extract on reducing the expression of norA efflux pumps gene in ciprofloxacin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates was studied. Materials and Methods: Ciprofloxacin resistant S. aureus isolates, were treated by different concentration of A. ciniformis extract. After extracting RNA and synthesizing cDNA, norA efflux pump expression was evaluated by Real Time PCR.  Results: There was significant decrease of norA efflux pump expression in ciprofloxacin-resistant S. aureus isolates treated by A. ciniformis extract (P<0.05). Also, a different expression of norA efflux pump gene was reported. Conclusion: It seems A. ciniformis extract as a natural inhibitor, had potential for suppression of norA efflux pump activity.