Work

Comparison of the antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, and cytotoxic effects of thymol/ampicillin and thymol/cefotaxime against Escherichia coli bacteria

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Using essential oils in combination with antibiotics helps to combat antibiotic resistance. Thymol is a major phenolic compound found in many essential oils. The antimicrobial effects of thymol, ampicillin, cefotaxime, and their combinations were examined on Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 25,922. Then, the antimicrobial effects of synergistic compounds were evaluated on twenty clinical strains. The chemical bonds, functional groups, and molecular interactions of the mentioned compounds were investigated with an FT-IR device. The time-killing curve, biofilm inhibition, hemolysis, and MTT methods were also conducted. RESULTS: Antimicrobial effects of thymol/ampicillin were greater than thymol/cefotaxime in both the ATCC and clinical strains. In the examination with the FT-IR device, both compounds showed a connection between components. The biofilm inhibition effect of thymol/ampicillin (62%) was greater than thymol/cefotaxime (39.28%). The bacterial killing time curve of Thymol/ampicillin was faster and more effective. The cytotoxic effects of compounds on red blood cells (RBCs) and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) were lower than Triton X-100 (0.1%). In the treatment of diseases caused by E. coli bacteria, thymol/ampicillin had better effects than thymol/cefotaxime.

Source: BMC Research Notes

DOI: 10.1186/s13104-026-07770-1

Authors: Sajjad Jafari, Mina Shirmohammadpour, Arman Taran, Mina Tasoujlu, Bahman Mirzaei

Institutions: Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Urmia University of Medical Sciences

Language: English

Topic: Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

Subfield: Food Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,690