Impact of honey, grape seed & pomegranate peel extracts on antibiotic resistance mechanisms in Kytococcus sedentarius isolated from skin infections | ||
| Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences Assiut University | ||
| Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available Online from 23 October 2025 | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/bfsa.2025.419545.2728 | ||
| Authors | ||
| Qasim Ibrahim Alkhalty* ; Muhsin A. Essa | ||
| Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Kytococcus sedentarius is a Gram-positive opportunistic bacterium implicated in skin and systemic infections, with emerging multidrug resistance that underscores its clinical significance , our study investigated the effects of honey and plant extracts (grape seeds and pomegranate peels) on antibiotic resistance mechanisms in this bacteria, aiming to evaluate their potential as safe natural therapeutic alternatives. Materials and Methods: K. sedentarius was identified by culture, confirmed using the VITEK system, PCR, and 16S rRNA sequencing with phylogenetic analysis. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested, and the antimicrobial effects of honey and aqueous/alcoholic extracts of grape seeds and pomegranate peels were evaluated. Resistance mechanisms were assessed before and after sub-MIC treatments. Results: Molecular analysis confirmed the isolate as K. sedentarius (99% similarity, accession no. PV944413.1), with mutations suggesting a novel strain. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 99.57% relatedness to American and Brazilian isolates. The isolate showed multidrug resistance, plasmid carriage, β-lactamase production, and efflux pump activity. Among the natural substances, alcoholic pomegranate peel extract exhibited the strongest antibacterial effect, followed by honey, while aqueous extracts were least effective. Sub-MIC treatments partially restored sensitivity to azithromycin (honey and grape seed extracts) and more effectively to azithromycin and tetracycline (pomegranate peel extracts). All extracts eliminated plasmids, and honey and pomegranate peel extracts suppressed β-lactamase activity and efflux pumps more efficiently than grape seed extracts. Conclusions: Honey and pomegranate peel extracts represent promising natural modulators of resistance mechanisms and may serve as effective adjunct therapies against antibiotic-resistant K. sedentarius | ||
| Keywords | ||
| K. sedentarius; Honey; Grape seeds; Pomegranate peels and antibiotic resistance | ||
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