Abstract
Background: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents a significant challenge in clinical microbiology. This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of thymoquinone (TQ) against both resistant and sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa, comparing their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to assess the potential of TQ as a therapeutic agent.
Methods: A total of 40 P. aeruginosa isolates, consisting of 20 resistant and 20 sensitive strains, were obtained from the Microbiology Culture in Clinical and Molecular Microbiology Laboratories at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The MIC of TQ was determined using the broth microdilution method. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software version 8, and statistical significance was determined via the t-test.
Results: Among the 20 resistant strains, 14 exhibited a high MIC of 512 µg/mL, while three strains showed an MIC of 256 µg/mL and three strains a MIC of 128 µg/mL. In contrast, the 20 sensitive strains displayed much lower MIC values, with 10 strains showing MICs of 64 µg/mL, eight strains at 32 µg/mL, and two strains at 16 µg/mL. These results demonstrate a clear distinction in resistance profiles, highlighting thymoquinone’s stronger efficacy against sensitive strains of P. aeruginosa. The results indicated a statistically significant difference in MIC values between resistant and sensitive strains, with a P < 0.05.
Conclusion: This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of TQ against both resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa strains, revealing significant variations in antimicrobial activity. The findings underscore the potential of TQ as a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of infections caused by P. aeruginosa, particularly in cases involving sensitive strains. However, further research is needed to explore its broader antimicrobial spectrum, biofilm disruption potential, and safety through toxicity testing. Additionally, studies on its effectiveness against other resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and its role in preventing resistance development, are essential for advancing its clinical application.
First Page
13
Last Page
21
Recommended Citation
Alsufyani, Hadeel S.; Zagzoug, Faez M.; and Ibrahem, Karem
(2025)
"Evaluating the Efficacy of Thymoquinone Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia: A Potential Therapeutic Approach,"
Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Medical Sciences: Vol. 32:
Iss.
1, Article 2.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1658-4279.1001
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