Abstract

To combat Staphylococcus aureus-associated infections, mainly in the respiratory tract, part of the population commonly use or combine “natural” remedies with drugs that are prescribed by health professionals, thinking that in this way, a greater effect will be exerted on the infection. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the in vitro effect of two extracts of propoleum (or propolis) (PPL) on the inhibition of S. aureus strains (including Methicillin-resistant strains [MRSA]), in comparison with two drugs commonly used in clinical practice: Ciprofloxacin (CPX) and Levofloxacin (LVX), on diverse isolates obtained at two hospitals of the locality, as well as to evaluate the effect of combinations of the propolis extract with each of the previously mentioned drugs. The results showed an incidence of MRSA of 34% in the obtained isolates. These strains were not inhibited by CPX or LVX; however, the ethanolic extracts of propolis at 30% (EPPL30) was more effective in comparison with the two drugs. In complementary approach, our results also suggest that the combinations of either of the drugs studied with propolis (PPL) on the MRSA strains did not present synergism, allowing for their growth.

Key words: Staphylococcus aureus, propoleum, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, inhibition.