Iranian Veterinary Journal

Iranian Veterinary Journal

In Vitro Evaluation of the Synergistic Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Parietaria muralis Extract and Chitosan Nanoparticles

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
1 PhD Student of Bacteriology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
3 Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Food Hygiene and Quality Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
Abstract
Herbal medicines incorporated with nanomaterials have garnered considerable attention in biomedicine; however, the antibacterial potential of combining chitosan with Protoparmeliopsis muralis (P. muralis) extract has not yet been investigated. The present study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of P. muralis and chitosan nanoparticles (CS/NPs) against selected pathogenic bacteria. Antibacterial activity was assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay, while antibiofilm effects were determined by the crystal violet assay. A mixture containing 10% P. muralis extract and 0.5% CS/NPs was prepared, and the synergistic interaction was further examined by the checkerboard titration method. The results revealed that CS/NPs exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than P. muralis extract alone. Furthermore, the checkerboard assay confirmed a synergistic effect between P. muralis and CS/NPs. The combined treatment also significantly enhanced antibiofilm activity, highlighting its potential as a promising strategy for controlling bacterial growth and biofilm-associated infections. In conclusion, these findings indicate that the combination of P. muralis extract and chitosan nanoparticles may serve as a potential candidate for further studies focused on the identification and development of novel antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds. Future research, including mechanistic studies and in vivo evaluations, is necessary to better understand and validate the observed effects.
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