Abstract: Ethanolic and hot water extracts from 4 different plant species used in Palestine in popular medicine for the treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origin were evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both water and ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia, Melissa officinalis and Rosa damascena were effective on MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the ethanolic extract of M. longifolia and M. officinalis were in the range of 3.125 to 12.50 mg/ml and 12.50 to 25.00 mg/ml, respectively. The ethanolic extract with the greatest antimicrobial activity was that of R. damascena (MIC 0.395 to 0.780 mg/ml and MBC 1.563 to 3.125 mg/ml). The combination of ethanolic extracts of the plants studied showed synergistic antibacterial activity against MRSA strains.
Nine medicinal plants growing in Palestine were screened in vitro for potential antibacterial activity against 6 bacterial strains by well diffusion and micro-dilution techniques. Both aqueous and organic solvents were used. The dried extracts of Sacropoterium spinosum (Rosaceae) (seed), Ruta chalepensis L (Rutaceae) (leaf), Cassia senna (Ligumenosa) (leaf), Lawsonia inermis (Lythraceae) (leaf), Psidium guajava (Myrtaceae) (Leaf), Carataegus azerullus (Rosaceae) (Leaf), Ranunclus asiaticus(Ranunculaceae) (Flowers), Calendula officinalis (Composita) (Flowers),and Salvia syriaca (Labiatae) (leaf) were screened. The bacterial strains tested were; Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); three strains (1, 2 & 3), multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and Klebsiella pneumonia. The average diameter of inhibition zones ranged from 9 to 30 mm and 11 to 28 mm for aqueous and ethanol extract, respectively. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most inhibited microorganism. Sacropoterium spinosum extract was the most active against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The MIC value of ethanol extract was 0.781 mg/ml against MRSA while 0.390 mg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The combination effect of ethanol extracts of (Sacropoterium spinosum with Lawsonia Inermis) on bacterial species tested exhibited a higher effect than that of any individual extract. Such results lead to an interesting promise for further investigation to design potentially active antibacterial augmentative agents of natural sources. Key words: Antibacterial activities, plant extracts, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Palestine.
Objective To determine the antimicrobial
activity of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the
synergistic effects of this extract combined with ceforuxime against
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods The
inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract, alone and
in combination with cefuroxime, were studied.
Results The minimum
inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the
range of 0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were
usually equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of
combinations of the ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their
synergistic effects against all MRSAs.
Conclusions The present work
clearly demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of
susceptibility to β-lactams.
Objective To determine the antimicrobial activity of
rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and to investigate the synergistic effects
of this extract combined with ceforuxime against methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Methods The inhibitory and bactericidal activities of rosemary ethanol extract,
alone and in combination with cefuroxime, were studied.
Results The minimum inhibitory
concentrations (MICs) of the ethanol extract of rosemary were in the range of
0.39–3.13 mg/mL. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were usually
equal to or double that MICs. The antimicrobial activity of combinations of the
ethanol extract of rosemary and cefuroxime indicated their synergistic effects
against all MRSAs.
Conclusions The present work clearly
demonstrates that rosemary has a key role in the elevation of susceptibility to
β-lactams.
Abstract: Ethanolic and hot water extracts from 4 different plant species used in Palestine in popular medicine for the treatment of several ailments of microbial and non-microbial origin were evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Both water and ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia, Melissa officinalis and Rosa damascena were effective on MRSA. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the ethanolic extract of M. longifolia and M. officinalis were in the range of 3.125 to 12.50 mg/ml and 12.50 to 25.00 mg/ml, respectively. The ethanolic extract with the greatest antimicrobial activity was that of R. damascena (MIC 0.395 to 0.780 mg/ml and MBC 1.563 to 3.125 mg/ml). The combination of ethanolic extracts of the plants studied showed synergistic antibacterial activity against MRSA strains.
The antibacterial activities of hot water, methanol and ethanol extracts of 5 plant extracts utilized in Palestine in popular medicine were studied. The dried extracts of Syzyium aromaticum (Myrtaceae) (seed), Cinnamomum cassia (Lauraceae) (cassia bark, Chinese cinnamon) (bark), Salvia officinalis (Lamiaceaea) (leaf), Thymus vulgaris (Lamiaceaea) (leaf) and Rosmarinus officinalis (Labiatae) (leaf) were tested in vitro against 4 bacterial species by disk diffusion and micro-dilution. The patterns of inhibition varied with the plant extract, the solvent used for extraction, and the organism tested. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 were the most inhibited microorganisms. S. aromaticum extract was the most active against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157 EHEC. The combinations of ethanolic extracts of S. officinalis with R. officinalis and of R. officinalis with T. vulgaris on bacterial species tested exhibited a higher effect than that of any individual extract. Results of this kind herald the interesting promise of designing a potentially active antibacterial synergized agent of plant origin.