ABSTRACT
Today, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance against conventional antibiotics is increasing. Many researchers consider plants with antimicrobial properties as a good alternative. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of Ajuga chamaecistus Ging. Subsp. Scoparia [Bioss] Rech. f. on 8 bacterial strains was investigated. The leaf extract was prepared by methanolic maceration. The concentrated, dried extract was fractionated by different solvents including petroleum ether, dichloro methane, and ethyl acetate. Determination of minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of crude extract was performed using agar dilution method. Disk diffusion method was used for antimicrobial assay of different fractions. Then, the chemical constituents of the most effective fraction were separated on thin-layer chromatography [TLC] plates. Then, the prepared chromatograms were analyzed using immersion bioautography. According to disk diffusion method, ethyl acetate fraction had stronger antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. Bioautography of this fraction showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus in R[f] = 0.9. However, all tested bacteria had inhibition spots in the site of fraction loading. Antibacterial activity of ethyl acetate fraction will appear if all components are used together
ABSTRACT
The bark of Cinnamon [Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume.] and rhizome of Ginger [Zingiber officinale Rosc.] have been widely used as spice in Iranian diets. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of cytotoxicity of the essential oil and various extracts of these two plants using Brine shrimp lethality assay [BSL]. The plants were prepared from a local market and their scientific names were confirmed with microscopic analysis. The essential oils and various extracts in increasing polarity order were prepared with hydro distillation and percolation method respectively. The cytotoxicity of all fractions was evaluated using BSL method in 10, 100 and 1000 micro g/ml concentrations. Results were analyzed using software of probit analysis. Chloroform, essential oil and ether extracts of cinnamon with LC50= 9, 10 and 18 micro g/ml respectively] and essential oil, petroleum ether, methanol and chloroform extracts of Ginger with LC 50=0.03, 4.03, 7.9 and 8.89 micro g/ml exhibited the most cytotoxicity in comparing to potassium dichromate [LC50= 27.75 micro g/ml]. All of the fractions from the bark of Cinnamon and rhizome of Ginger exhibited high cytotoxicity. However it is needed more separation and identification of active components on the basis of this biological activity. If these results would confirm with the other bioassays, it is suggested to make safety recommendations for daily consumption of these two plants