[Antibacterial activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis and Achillea millefolium against cariogenic microorganisms: an in vitro investigation]

There is an increasing global tendency to use traditional medicines and drug-extracts from natural plant materials. This in-vitro study was conducted in order to evaluate the cariostatic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis and Achillea millefolium. In this experimental study, hydroalcoholic extracts were prepared from Salvia officinalis and Achillea millefolium using maceration method. The antibacterial activity of these two extracts against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Actinomyces viscosus were evaluated through broth macrodilution method. Data was analyzed with Mann-Whitney test. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] of Salvia officinalis and Achillea millefolium for streptococcus mutans were 6.25 and 50 micro gram per milli liter, respectively. The corresponding figures for Lactobacillus rhamnosus were 1.56 and 12.5 micro gram per milli liter; and for Actinomyces viscosus the value were 12.5 and 50 micro gram per milli liter, respectively. The differences between the two extracts were statistically significant. Both extracts had growth inhibitory effect on all three bacteria. Salvia officinalis showed greater inhibitory effect on growth of all three bacteria. Both extracts had bactericidal effect in the considered concentration range

Determination of antimicrobial resistance pattern of staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical specimens

Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of nosocomial and community-acquired infections. The emergence of antibiotic resistance, especially in methicillin-resistant SA [MRSA] strains, has caused difficulties in treatment of such infections. The determination of antibiotic resistance patterns, particularly domestic patterns of Iran, is essential for appropriate treatment of MRSA infections and proper infection control measures in our country. The antibiotic resistance of 338 SA isolates from various clinical specimens was determined by disk agar diffusion [DAD], minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and polymerase chain reaction [PCR] methods. Using the DAD method, 47% [160/338] of the SA isolates were resistant to oxacillin, and only 6% [20/338] were resistant to vancomycin. By PCR, 48% [162/338] of the isolates had the mecA gene. The MIC of oxacillin in 93% of isolates was higher than 256 micro g/mL. The MRSA isolates, showed a high resistant to gentamicin [40.5%], erythromycin [40%], and ciprofloxacin [38%]. However, only a few of the SA isolates showed a high resistance to vancomycin [5%] or erythromycin [3.5%]. The results of this study can provide guidance for physicians toward a more appropriate treatment of SA infections in Iran, thereby preventing the emergence of further antibiotic resistance among SA. Our results also revealed the need for further investigations using a higher number of specimens representing a wider variety of locations to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns in our state more precisely