RESEARCH TITLE: Antimicrobial Activity of Punica granatum and Cichorium intybus Extracts against some Pathogenic Bacteria
COUNTRIES: Pakistan
CONDUCTED BY: Department of Microbiology and Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Pakistan; Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Microbiology Hazara University, Pakistan; Department of Microbiology, Abbottabad University of Science and Information Technology, Pakistan.
PUBLISHED ON: American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ
RESEACH:
Humans use various kinds of herbs and shrubs for medicinal purposes since time immemorial. Punica granatum (pomegranate) and Cichoriumintybus (chicory) are example of such plants. The undertaken study of selected medicinal plants was screened for their antibacterial activity.
Peel extracts of Punica granatum(pomegranate) and leaves of Cichoriumintybus(chicory) were evaluated for antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Two types of solvents were used to prepare the plant extracts; water and an organic solvent Dimethylesulfoxide (DMSO). The results reveal that DMSO dissolved plants extracts had higher solubility when compared with water. The Cichoriumintybus showed antimicrobial activity against all the pathogenic strains.
We also observed that Cichoriumintybus is more effective against Gram (+) bacteria then that of Gram (-) bacteria. Whereas Punicagranatum showed zone of inhibition against S.epidermidisonly. Finding from the present study showed that both of the plants have potent antibacterial activity. Further study will be helpful for the future elucidation of novel therapeutic agents.
YEAR: 2015