In vitro and in vivo biofilm inhibitory efficacy of geraniol-cefotaxime combination against Staphylococcus spp.

Abstract In humans, the occurrence of bacterial communities in the form of biofilm is considered as a major intrinsic factor accountable for a variety of stubborn infections. Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis have gained considerable attention in clinical settings owing to the formation of intractable and long-lasting biofilms in medical device. The current study has been designed to explain the biofilm inhibitory efficacy of geraniol and cefotaxime combination (GCC) against S. epidermidis and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Biofilm biomass quantification assay was performed to evaluate the antibiofilm activity of GCC against S. epidermidis and MRSA. The minimal biofilm inhibitory concentration of GCC was found to be 100 μg/ml of geraniol and 2 μg/ml of cefotaxime. Further, microscopic analyses ascertained the devastating potential of GCC on the test pathogens’ biofilm formation. Besides biofilm inhibition, GCC also suppressed the production of extracellular polymeric substance, slime and staphyloxanthin. More, GCC significantly increased the susceptibility of the test pathogens towards human blood. Further, the results of real time PCR analysis and in vivo assay using Caenorhabditis elegans unveiled the anti-biofilm potentials of GCC. Thus, the present study demonstrates the significant use of polytherapy treatment approaches to overcome the biofilm associated infections of Staphylococcus spp.