## 3 Results
### Time-Kill Kinetics  
Results on the effect of NS alone, and NS in combination with oxacillin (OXA), augmentin (AUG), and/or cefuroxime (CEF) are shown in Figure 3A-F. There were variations in antimicrobial effects based on strains of MRSA, as well as the type of antibiotic tested. A rapid rate of killing was seen more often with combinations of NS and antibiotics than with NS alone.  
Figure 3: Time–kill assay curves of 7.5 \(\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolMicro g}\)/mL concentration of _Nigella sativa_ (NS) alone and in combination with antibiotics against (**A**) MRSA 1, (**B**) MRSA 4, and (**C**) MRSA 5 bacterial isolates. (**A**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0039 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0016 for NS + AUG and \(p\) < 0.0142 for NS + CEF; (**B**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0113 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0061 for NS + AUG and \(p\) < 0.0053 for NS + CEF; (**C**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0179 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0336 for NS + AUG and \(p\) < 0.0180 for NS + CEF. Time–kill assay curves of 5.0 \(\mathrm{\SIUnitSymbolMicro g}\)/mL concentration of _Nigella sativa_ (NS) alone and in combination with antibiotics against (**D**) MRSA 1, (**E**) MRSA 4, and (**F**) MRSA 5 bacteria isolates. (**D**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0408 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0200 for NS + AUG and \(p\) < 0.0494 for NS + CEF; (**D**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0331 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0083 for NS + AUG, and \(p\) < 0.0254 for NS + CEF; (**F**) *** Represents significant values at \(p\) < 0.0161 for NS + OXA, \(p\) < 0.0019 for NS + AUG and \(p\) < 0.0022 for NS + CEF.  
In the combination of AUG with 7.5 \(\upmu\)g/mL NS, the killing rate for MRSA 1 was more rapid than in combinations of NS with CEF and OXA in a time-dependent fashion, as shown in Figure 3A-C. Additionally, differences in these killing times were statistically significant when compared with the control (7.5 \(\upmu\)g/mL NS alone). However, for the MRSA 1 time-kill kinetics, although antibiotic combinations with NS displayed a significantly difference in killing time, the time-kill kinetic curve between AUG and OXA did show a statistically significant difference, indicating that time-kill with AUG was more rapid. The results of the MRSA 5 time-kill assay showed significant differences between the NS and antibiotic combinations and NS alone. The killing times for 0-24 h were markedly different from those for 48 h. Additionally, AUG displayed more rapid killing with respect to CEF and OXA. For this group of 7.5 \(\upmu\)g/mL NS with antibiotic combination total killing was seen within 24 h for MRSA 1 and 48 h for MRSA 4 and 5 (Figure 3A-C).  
The time-kill assay of the 5 \(\upmu\)g/mL NS and antibiotic combination is shown in Figure 3D-F for the MRSA isolates 1, 4, and 5. The results showed complete killing for MRSA 1 at 48 h with combinations as compared with the effect of NS alone. The killing was rapid and statistically significant, with AUG showing a more rapid effect as compared to the control. In MRSA 4, the killing was not total but again AUG displayed rapid killing kinetics with CEF, with OXA showing similar rates of killing (Figure 3E). Additionally, for MRSA 5, there was no total killing after 48 h. However, AUG displayed more rapid killing compared to CEF and OXA. In addition, the antibiotic combinations' time-kill kinetics were statistically significant compared to NS alone.