Chemical Composition, Genotoxicity and Antimicrobial Activities of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss against OXA-48 Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Major Hospitals of Kurdistan Province, Iran

Aims: Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss is a flowering plant that the biological activities of the declared species D. kotschyi such as a warm herbal medicine for rheumatoid diseases, headaches, congestion, stomach disorders, liver treatment, and other usages. The current study aims to investigate the chemical composition, genotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity of Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss against OXA-48 producing K. pneumoniae isolated in Kurdistan province, Iran.

Methodology: Fourteen OXA-48 producing K. pneumoniae were isolated by the PCR assay from major hospitals in Kurdistan province, Iran. GC–MS examination, and in vitro antimicrobial and genotoxicity activities of this essential oil was studied. The data was analyzed using SPSS software and ANOVA.

Results: Out of 70 K. pneumoniae clinical strains, 14 OXA-48 producing K. pneumoniae were isolated by the PCR assay. The chemical composition of the oils contained Monoterpene Hydrocarbons, Oxygenated Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpene Hydrocarbons, and Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes. D. kotschyi essential oils showed antimicrobial activity against all of the tested strains, with inhibition values varying from >5000 to 1250 μg/ml for MIC and >5000 μg/ml for MBC in bacteria. In the Ames test, D. kotschyi had a strong anti-mutagenesis effect.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the current study, it can be concluded that D. kotschyi essential oils could be applied as a safe antibacterial agent for treatment of OXA-48 producing K. pneumoniae.