Qom University of Medical Sciences Journal

Background and Objectives:Today, in traditional medicine, plants are used in treatment of some diseases because of their antimicrobial activity. The problems in treatment of infections caused by resistant microbial strains are a reason for more precise investigation on herbal plants. The aim of this study was to determine antibacterial activity of essential oil of Artemisia desertiflowers against some gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Methods:In this study,antibacterial activity of essential oil of Artemisia deserti flowers was investigated against standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Determination of antibacterial activity, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were performed using well diffusion and microdilution methods, respectively. Data were analyzed using statistical tests, including Duncan's post hoc test and two-way analysis of variance. The Significance Level Was Considered p<0.05.

Results: In this study, essential oil of Artemisia desertiflowers inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli.The diameter of inhibition zone for essential oil of Artemisia desertiflowers was in the range of8.3 to 45.0mm. The diameter of inhibition zone had a direct relationship with the concentration of essential oil (p<0.001). The lowest MIC was 2.5%. This essential oil had no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Conclusion:The results of this study indicated that essential oil of Artemisia desertiflowers has inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacteria, especially gram-positive ones, and this herbal essential oil can be useful as a pharmaceutical composition.