Antimicrobial Substance Of Medicinal Plants And Its Effect on Human Pathogens

Abstract

ln recent years, interest in th<: structure and distribution of natural products, and their use in the treatment of several aliments has been growing strongly. Since most synthetic drugs proved to exert various side effects. Therefore traditional medicine should be promot<:d and dt:veloped for the benefit of mankind.

In the present study eight plants were choosen to investigate their antimicrobial activity against some important human pathogens. They were: Balanites aegyptiaca (fruits), Commiphora myrrha (Gum resin), Hyoscyamus muticus (Stem), Cyperus rotundus (rhizomes), Acarus calamus (Stem), Eucalyptus sp. (leaves), Ambrosia maritima (leaves) and Raphanus sativus (seeds). The antimicrobial activity of the plants were tested against nme human pathogenic microrganisms• included Gram-negative bacteria as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Proteus mirabilis, Shigella dysenterie, Shigella jlexneri, Salmonella paratyphi and Salmonella typhi. Gram­ positive bacteria as Staphylococcus epidermidis and one yeast ('andido albicans.

1- Different extracts were prepared from each effective plant part using four solvents (water, methanol, benzene and ethanol). Five concentrations were used from each extract. Antimicrobial activity assay was carried out using two methods, the disc ditiusion technique and cork borer bioassay technique (for benzene extracts). Additionaly a reference standard antibiotic discs were included in the assay as positive control in an attempt to decrease the usage of these antibiotics to avoid their harmfull side effects. They were Streptomycin, Tetracyclines, Polymyxin, Framycetin and Vancomycin. The results of the antimicrobial assay revealed that the methyl alcohol extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca, Cyperus rotundus, Acarus