In this study, six extracts obtained from various plants of Lamiaceae and Asteraceae families were screened in vitro against Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis and two yeasts. Acetone extracts of Origanum glandulosum, Marrubium vulgare and Artemisia herba alba as well as ethanol extracts of Artemisia herba alba, A. absinthium and A. fragrance were used. Activity of the extracts were screened against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enteritidis; Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis; Candida albicans, Candida krusei and Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using micro-dilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. All the extracts showed antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria at concentrations ranging between 64-256 µg/mL. Anti-Candida activities of the extract developed the same MIC values towards all the extracts tested (MIC: 128 µg/mL) whereas A. herba alba ethanol extract was more effective against C. krusei at the same potency as the standard fluconazole (MIC: 64 µg/mL). Anti-mycobacterium activity was at the same MIC values of 128 µg/mL for all the extracts tested. Tested total extracts showed antimicrobial activity with higher MIC values than standard antimicrobial agents. Fractions of extracts or isolated metabolites could prove to be more potent against pathogenic microorganisms.

Keywords

Lamiaceae, Asteraceae, Antimicrobial activity, Antifungal activity, Mycobacteria