ABSTRACT
The use of herbal medicine has a long history. In order of unveiling of the side effects of chemical drugs, human tried to use the natural resources to supply drugs. In this study, antimicrobial effect of Scrophularia striata aquatic extract on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were studied and compared with the effects of tetracycline. In this basic- applied, the aqueous extract was prepared from the sterile and unsterile leaves and fruits of Scrophularia striata. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli after colony counting and determining dilution were cultured on known concentrations of the extract containing mediums and their effects on bacterial growth was assessed after 24 h by measurement of turbidity. Eighty percent of bacterial growth was inhibited by the extract, compared with 100% of control. The inhibitory effects of low concentrations of the extract were more than tetracycline. This study showed that the aquatic extract of Scrophularia striata could be a good candidate as an alternative or supplement to antibiotics to treat bacterial infections