EFFICACY OF AMOMUM TSAO-KO CREVOST & LEMARIÉ ESSENTIAL OIL IN INTRAGASTRIC TREATMENT OF METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS INFECTED MICE

Min Qiu1,2*, Mingxiang Gao3*, Fenghui Sun1,2, Nana Long1,2, Fu Peng4 and Min Dai1,2

Abstract

Efficacy of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost & Lemarié (also known Lanxangia tsaoko (Crevost & Lemarié) MF Newman & Škorni?k) as essential oil against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was evaluated in an in vivo mouse model. Minimal lethal dose (MLD) of MRSA on Day 7 following intraperitoneal injection was 6.0×1010 CFU/kg body weight. Preventive efficacy was evaluated by intragastric application of A. tsao-ko essential oil for three days, then an administration of MRSA MLD to mice (n = 10), demonstrating a 50%
effective dose (ED50) on Day 7 post-last treatment of 0.42 g/kg body weight/day; while therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by administration of MRSA MLD then intragastric treatment with A. tsao-ko essential oil for three consecutive days before
determining ED50 on Day 7 post-last treatment, with a value of 0.73 g/kg body weight/day. A. tsao-ko essential oil ameliorated inflammatory response caused by MRSA infection through regulating serum levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1? (partially), IL-6, and TNF-?, and histopathological examination demonstrated protection against tissue damages to kidney, liver and lung (partially). These findings suggest A. tsao-ko essential oil as a potential treatment of MRSA infection in animals and possibly humans.