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Drug resistance, according to World Health Organization, is one of the most serious threats to public health. This makes antibiotics ineffective and reduces their therapeutic potential. One of the most prevalent multidrug-resistant bacteria is Staphylococcus aureus which is considered to be the most common pathogen and mortality factor in both hospital and nonhospital environments worldwide. Due to an unprecedented increase in reports of drug resistance in pathogens, and also due to adverse and severe side effects of drugs, there is an urgent need to redirect scientific efforts towards search for antioxidative natural substances and other alternative sources having therapeutic potential against microbes. Natural products such as propolis seem to exhibit most promising therapeutic potential against microorganisms. Thus, present study is focused on antioxidative potential of propolis in combination with standard antibiotics ampicillin and amoxicillin against S. aureus infected BALB/c mice. For this, mice were divided into seven groups, they were decapitated after suitable experimental periods, then their liver, kidney and spleen were excised from control and experimental groups, which were homogenized and then used for different biochemical estimations following the standard protocols. Results showed that S. aureus caused severe biochemical alterations by 5th day of infection that is, lipid peroxidation increased significantly (P <0.05), reduced glutathione level and activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GST) decreased significantly (P <0.05) in liver, kidney and spleen of S. aureus infected mice. Ethanolic extract of propolis at a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of mice when used alone to treat S. aureus infection gave significantly good results by 15th day of treatment. Better results were observed when propolis was used along with antibiotics. The levels of antioxidant molecules and enzymes along with liver and kidney function enzymes were restored to near normal after 15 days of treatment. So it can be concluded that propolis along with antibiotics acts as a potent free radical scavenger and can be used as a potential therapeutic agent against staphylococcal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of present study was to evaluate antioxidant effect of propolis alone as well as in combination with antibiotics; ampicillin and amoxicillin against Staphylococcus aureus induced oxidative damage in spleen, by using biochemical and histopathological methods. Infection was induced in mice with S. aureus (5x106CFU/mL i.p) and protective potential of propolis against infection was evaluated by administrating 250 mg/kg body weight of propolis every day for 15 days. Mice were killed after experimental period and spleen was excised, homogenized and then used for different biochemical and histopathological estimations. Results obtained showed that lipid peroxidation level increased significantly (P <0.05), while level of reduced glutathione and activity of antioxidant enzymes (GP, GR, GST, CAT, and SOD) were decreased in spleen of S. aureus infected mice, which were increased to normal level (P <0.05) in propolis and antibiotics combination treatment. Present study also revealed that S. aureus infection caused significant change in cellular architecture of spleen as revealed by histopathological changes which were also restored to near normal after treatment with propolis and antibiotics when used in combination. These findings suggest therapeutic potential of propolis against S. aureus induced oxidative stress and histopathological damage in spleen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to emerging drug resistance in pathogenic organisms, most of the second generation antibiotics are not effective in controlling the disease. As a consequence, the dosage and duration of drug intake has increased leading to drug induced toxicity and various side effects. A large number of natural products are being reported to ameliorate the toxicity and oxidative stress caused by antibiotics. Here, we explored the antioxidative potential of honey bee product propolis alone as well as in combination with antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus infected BALB/c mice. For experimental design, mice were divided in to seven groups and decapitated after experimental period. Kidney was excised, homogenized and then used for different biochemical and histopathological estimations. Results observed after treatment with propolis and antibiotics were compared with those of S. aureus infected group. Results showed increase in lipid peroxidation, decrease in reduced glutathione levels and antioxidant enzymes such as; catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase. On the contrary, treatment with propolis, led to reduction in levels of LPO and increase in activities of antioxidant enzymes. Also, histopathology of kidney and all kidney function enzymes were restored to near normal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]