Study the antimicrobial effects of artemisia santonica extract on some pathogenic bacteria

Background and aim: For rapid growing drug resistance among pathogenic microorganisms, it is essential to find new compounds with antimicrobial activity. Medicinal herbs application in traditional treatment for thousand years, make this natural compound to the best choice for antimicrobial studies. The aim of this study is to determine the antimicrobial activity of Artemisia against some important pathogenic bacteria. Material and Method: In the present study, antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and methanolic extracts of A. santonica against four pathogenic bacteria was evaluated. A. santonica dry powder was extracted with ethanol and methanol solvents in maceration method. Assessment of antimicrobial efficacies of extracts and MIC were conducted by disk diffusion manual and macro broth dilution method, respectively. Results: Both ethanolic and methanolic extracts could inhibit microorganism in this test. Staphylococcus aureus with MIC=1.56 mg/ml indicates more sensitive to the Artemisia. In addition, Bacillus cereus showed medium sensitivity. E.coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa became involved in less sensitivity to the A. santonica extracts. Conclusion: The result of this study confirmed that A. santonica extracts were the best inhibitory effect on S. aureus. Then it can be concluded that by using herbal plant against antibiotics some antibiotic resistant problem can be resolved

Therapeutic effects of Crocus sativus: An overview of systematic reviews

Background and aims: Traditionally, plants have long been applied in the treatment of various diseases throughout the history of human life. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts in the laboratory is studied on Gram positive and negative strains of human infectious agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mentha longifolia against important human pathogens. Methods: This was an experimental study and no statistical method was used. The antimicrobial effect of ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia were investigated on Salmonella typhimurium were determined using broth microdilution method. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). All tests were performed in Mueller Hinton broth supplemented with Tween 80 at a final concentration of 0.5%. Results: The results showed that the lowest MIC concentration was 5 mg/ml that 1 strain of Salmonella was inhibited. The highest and the lowest MBC values of extract were 40 and 10 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Since the antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing in the world, replacing the chemical and synthetic antibiotics with natural products is essential. It can be concluded from the results of this study that using herbal plant instead of antibiotics can resolve some antibiotic resistant problems

Antibacterial activity of Mentha longifolia against Salmonella typhimurium

Background and aims: Traditionally, plants have long been applied in the treatment of various diseases throughout the history of human life. The antimicrobial activity of plant extracts in the laboratory is studied on Gram positive and negative strains of human infectious agents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mentha longifolia against important human pathogens. Methods: This was an experimental study and no statistical method was used. The antimicrobial effect of ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia were investigated on Salmonella typhimurium were determined using broth microdilution method. The broth microdilution method was used to determine the Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). All tests were performed in Mueller Hinton broth supplemented with Tween 80 at a final concentration of 0.5%. Results: The results showed that the lowest MIC concentration was 5 mg/ml that 1 strain of Salmonella was inhibited. The highest and the lowest MBC values of extract were 40 and 10 mg/ml, respectively. Conclusion: Since the antibiotic resistant bacteria are increasing in the world, replacing the chemical and synthetic antibiotics with natural products is essential. It can be concluded from the results of this study that using herbal plant instead of antibiotics can resolve some antibiotic resistant problems

Biodegradation of Aromatic Compounds

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous persistent environmental contaminants generated by natural combustion processes and human activities. PAHs are considered hazardous because of cytotoxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic effects. Sixteen individual PAH compounds have been identified as priority pollutants by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). All substances originated in to the environment by either biogenic or anthropogenic sources. Anthropogenic compounds describe synthetic compounds, and compound classes as well as elements and naturally occurring chemical entities which are mobilized by man’s activities. In the marine environment, the fate of pollutants is largely determined by biogeochemical process. Some of these chemical changes enhance the toxicity of the pollutants. Other chemical changes cause the degradation or immobilization of pollutants and, as a result, act to purify the waters. Possible fates for PAHs, released into the environment, include volatilization, photo-oxidation, chemical oxidation, bioaccumulation and adsorption on soil particles, leaching, and microbial degradation. Elevated concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been found in mangrove sediments due to anthropogenic compounds

Antifungal effects of the extract of the Withania somnifera on Candida albicans

Background and aims: Withania somnifera (W. somnifera), commonly known as Ashwagandha, is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for over 3,000 years. Candidiasis is one of the most common opportunistic fungal diseases in humans. In fact, the most important fungal disease in women is vaginal candidiasis. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal effects of the extracts of the W. somnifera on Candida albicans (C. albicans). Methods: In this experimental research, 9 vaginal samples were collected using the sterile swap and Falcon tube by the gynecological specialists. The extracts of the shallot and artichoke were prepared using a rotary device. The inhibitory concentration against C. albicans was determined using incubation in media. Results: The results of this study suggested that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against C. albicans, which is equivalent 50 ppm to 250 ppm has the highest concentration of inhibitor. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the antifungal activity of wind cheese against C. albicans is good, so it can be used as a drug to treat infections caused by C. albicans

Screening and identification of biosurfactant producing marine bacteria from the Caspian Sea

Marine microorganisms have unique physiological properties and novel metabolites such as biosurfactant to live in extreme habitats (e.g. oil polluted environment). The aim of this study was to characterize some biosurfactant-producing bacteria collected from sediment and seawater samples from the Caspian Sea. These bacteria were isolated using enrichment method in ONR7a medium with crude oil as sole carbon source. Five screening tests were used for selection of the bacteria including hemolysis in blood agar, oil spreading, drop collapse, emulsification activity and bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon test (BATH). The bacteria isolated were identified using molecular methods. Eighteen biosurfactant-producing bacteria (from 44 different colonies isolated) were selected and 9 isolates were screened as predominant biosurfactant producer belonging to Pseudomonas stutzeri (Strain S1-4-2), P. balearica (Strain S1-4-1), Pseudomonas sp. (Strain S2-1), P. stutzeri (Strain R3-2), P. chloritidismutans (Strain K4-1), Achromobacter xylosoxidans (Strain K4-3), Acinetobacter radioresistens (Strain S1-2), Acinetobacter calcoaceticus (Strain K4-2) and Citrobacter freundii (Strain R3-1). The largest clear zone diameters for oil spreading method observed for P. balearica strain S1-4-1 (14 mm). Also, this strain has the best emulsification activity (100 %); surface hydrophobicity (BATH: 77 %) and reduction of surface tension (34.5 mN m-1 ). Thus, this strain selected as the best isolated strains. The results of this study confirmed that there is sufficient diversity of biosurfactant-producing bacteria in the Caspian Sea and the environmental problem can be resolved by application of these bacteria in petrochemical waste water

In vitro study of antimicrobial effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Glycyrrhiza glabra extracts against some pathogens

Background and aims: Disease causing bacteria have always been considered a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. The appearance of resistant microorganisms paved the way to the occurrence of infections that are only treated by a limited number of antimicrobial agents. The present study was, the antimicrobial effects of Rosmarinus officinalis and Glycyrrhiza glabra extract against some pathogens. Methods: In this study, the antibacterial activity using 9 Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains includes: Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC® 19615, Streptococcus pneumoniae ATCC 49619, S. saprophyticus ATCC®15305, Hafnia alvei ATCC 51873, Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, Proteus mirabilis ATCC 35659, Serratia marcescens ATCC 274 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC® 25923 with micro dilution methods was studied. The MIC, MBC were studied also, resistance of these bacteria to standard antibiotics such as erythromycin, cefixime, ceftazidime, tetracycline, ampicillin and amikacin were compared. Results: In this study, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was used. The levels of MIC of R. officinalis were in ranges from 6.25 to 25 mg/ml. The highest MIC value was observed at 25 ppm against S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae and P. mirabilis and the levels of MIC of G. glabra were in ranges from 6.25 to 12.5 ppm. The highest MIC value was observed at 12.5 ppm against S. pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, P. mirabilis and S. marcescens. Conclusion: In important human pathogens, drug resistance is increasing according to the results of this study, and may be proposed that this plant can be used as a drug. It can be a good way to replace herbs with chemical drugs

Study of plasmid profile and alkane hydroxylase genes in crude-oil degrading bacteria isolated from the Persian Gulf

610-615Bioremediation, using microorganisms, especially hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria are inexpensive and eco-friendly methods to reduce oil pollutions. Plasmids containing hydrocarbon-degrading genes encode the enzymes necessary for the derivative pathways are important for bioremediation. The aim of the present work was to study the plasmid profile of bacterial strains isolated from crude-oil contaminated sites in the Persian Gulf in previous researches. In this study, plasmids were extracted from 21 strains using alkaline lysis method. Then, alkane hydroxylase gene groups (I, II, III) were detected in extracted plasmids using specific primers by PCR. The results of this study indicated that eight crude oil degrading strains out of 21 had plasmid. The results of PCR amplification confirmed that 50 % of plasmid containing strains had alkane hydroxylase gene group (I), 75 percent of them had alkane hydroxylase gene group (III) and none of them had alkane hydroxylase gene group (II)

Antimicrobial and Anti-Biofilm Effects of Mentha piperita and Zataria multiflora on Pathogenic Bacteria

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects of Mentha piperita and Zataria multiflora on some pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Mentha piperita and Zataria multiflora essential oils were obtained by using the clevenger device. The bacterial cultures were prepared as standard samples. Finally, antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity was determined by microdilution method.                                                                                                                                    Results: The results of this study showed that the lowest inhibitory concentration of essential oil of Zataria multiflora was 1.25 mg / ml, while the rest of the bacteria were inhibited at a concentration of 2.5 mg / ml. The lowest and highest inhibitory concentrations were found as 1.25 and 5 mg / ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Conclusion:The results of the study showed that Z. multiflora  essential oil showed antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity that could be used to treat infections caused by these bacteria