Combination effects of baicalein with antibiotics against oral pathogens

AbstractBackground ein is one of the major flavonoids in Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, which has long been used in Asia as herbal medicine. Several biological effects of baicalein, such as antiviral, anti-inflammatiom, anti-hepatotoxicity, and anti-tumour properties, have been reported. ive and design s study, the antibacterial activities of baicalein were investigated in combination with ampicillin and/or gentamicin against oral bacteria. s ein was determined with MIC and MBC values ranging from 80 to 320 and 160 to 640 μg/mL against oral bacteria. The range of MIC50 and MIC90 were 20–160 μg/mL and 80–320 μg/mL, respectively. The combination effects of baicalein with antibiotics were synergistic (FIC index <0.375–0.5 and FBCI <0.5) against oral bacteria. Furthermore, a time-kill study showed that the growth of the tested bacteria was completely attenuated after 1–6 h of treatment with the MIC50 of baicalein, regardless of whether it was administered alone or with ampicillin or gentamicin. sion results suggest that baicalein combined with other antibiotics may be microbiologically beneficial and not antagonistic.