REVERSAL OF EFFLUX-MEDIATED TETRACYCLINE RESISTANCE IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS CLINICAL ISOLATES BY GINSENG PROSAPOGENINS

A pair of tetracycline-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains carryin g different resistance determinants, tetK and tetM, were employed to s creen some ginseng prosapogenins as antagonists of tetracycline resist ance. The tetK gene encodes TetK efflux pump and the tetM gene define a ribosomal-level resistance. The susceptibility of two strains to tet racycline was measured in parallel in the presence of various concentr ations of test compounds. The efflux pump not ribosomal protection was adversely affected by ginsenosides Rh-2, F-1, 20-O-beta-D-glucopyrano syl-20(S)-dammar-3, 20-diol (compound K), 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh-2 and t heir aglycones at nontoxic concentrations, reversing tetracycline resi stance in the tetK-carrying S. aureus.