Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants

ABSTRACT

The FOLLOWING study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial activity of some medicinal plants. Ethanol extracts of different medicinal plants including Curcuma longa [Turmeric], Zingiber officinal [Ginger], Piper nigrum [Black Pepper], Cinnamomum cassia [Cinnamon], Thymus vulgaris [Thyme], Laurus nobilis [Bay leaf], and Syzgium aromaticum [Clove] were tested using the disc diffusion method for their antimicrobial activity against E. coli, S. typhimurium, E. faecium, and E. faecalis. Cinnamon extract [CE], at 130 micro g/disk, exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli, S. typhimunium, and E. faecalis. Thyme extract [TE], at 30 micro g/disk, exhibited antibacterial activity against E. coli, E. faecium, and E. faecalis while the remaining medicinal plants extracts showed no activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the cinnamon and thyme ranged from 31.25 to 250 micro g/ml by the dilution method. These results suggest that cinnamon and thyme have antibacterial activity in vitro