Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a substantial contributor to morbidity and mortality. In search of a natural products capable of inhibiting this multidrug resistant bacteria, we have investigated the antimicrobial activity of brazilein (BRZ) isolated from Caesalpinia sappan L. (Leguminosae) against 8 different strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). New antimicrobial activity was found using the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), broth dilution as well as checkerboard method. Against the 8 strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of BRZ were in the range of 62.5-500μg/mL. From those results we performed the checkerboard test to determine the synergism of BRZ in combination with Hygromycin-b (HgB) against 4 strains. The combined activity of BRZ and HgB against 4 strains resulted in a fractional inhibitory concentrations index (FICI) ranging from 0.18-0.5. The effect of BRZ with HgB was found to be synergistic. We found that BRZ reduced the MICs of HgB. BRZ and HgB could lead to the development of new combination antibiotics against MRSA infection.

This study was carried out to investigate the variation of growth and yield using different planting densities and vinyl mulching in S. miltiorrhiza cultivation. Top plant growth was observed in the 30×30cm planting density of S. miltiorrhiza;, plant height, leaves and branches were larger than in the other treatments. Root length, root diameter, and supporting roots of underground part were increased as planting density was wide, and dry root weight was increased in 30×30cm. However, yield was highest at 294 kg/10a in the planting density of 30×10cm. The use of 30-31cm white and black vinyl mulching had no significant effect on the plant height of S. miltiorrhiza, as compared to non-mulching. However, the highest volume of leaves and plant weight was observed in plants using 24.7 black vinyl mulching. Dry underground root weight was highest in black vinyl mulching at 21.7 g compared to 17.0 g for non-mulching. Yield per 10a increased by 28% using black vinyl mulching compared to non-mulching. Based on the results of this study, planting density of 30×10cm and black vinyl mulching are the most suitable in the cultivation of S. miltiorrhiza.