Molecular Study and Assessment of The Medicinal Potential of The Lepidium Sativum Plant Extracts against Antibiotic Resistance E. Coli

This study includes isolation of Escherichia coli from different sources of human infection (urine, wounds, and burn), and 40 isolates of E. coli were obtained from 150 samples. According to the cultural characteristics, morphological features, and biochemical examination in addition to the API system, the E. coli isolates were identified. Antibiotic sensitivity for these isolates was tested, which included 14 antimicrobials. According to the resistance of isolates to antimicrobials, the latter were classified into 10 groups. The isolates varied in their resistance to tested antimicrobials. Isolates E7, E8, E9, E10, and E11 were resistant to all antimicrobials while E1, E2, and E20 were resistant to only one antimicrobial. The results also revealed that imipenem and amikacin were the most powerful antibiotics against all isolates. All isolates were screened for their ability to produce extended spectrum -lactamase enzyme (ESBL). A total of 24 isolates (60%) were found to be ESBL producers. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used and the plasmid contents showed variation in their size; more than one DNA band appeared in the case of some isolates. The reported results indicated the dissemination of plasmids among E. coli isolates that may carry resistance genes against wide spectrum antibiotics used clinically. Antibacterial activity of water, methanol, and ethanol extracts of the whole plant of Lepidium sativum was carried out using agar plate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined as the lowest concentration of extract inhibiting the visible growth of each organism on the agar plate. The results showed that the MIC of watery extract was 4% for all chosen isolates, the MIC of ethanolic extract was 5% for isolates E7, E8, and E10 and 6% for E9, and the MIC of methanolic extract was 5% for all isolates under study. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannis, phenols, and saponins in both aqueous and methanolic extract, but saponins was absent in the ethanolic extract.