Antibacterial Activity of Aqueous and Alcoholic Extracts of Garlic and Aloe Vera Against Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E.coli

Abstract

Background and Aims: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli are the most important bacteria responsible for hospital infections with multiple antibiotic resistance. Problems in the treatment of infections caused by resistant isolates have been the factor for the investigation of alternative drugs, including medicinal plants. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, antimicrobial activity of aqueous and alcoholic extract of Garlic and Aloe vera on 63 strains of P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. coli isolated from clinical specimens were investigated. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) was carried out by tube dilution method. Results and Conclusion: In the MIC test, E. coli isolates showed the most sensitivity to the aqueous (with mean MIC, MBC 236.8 and 473.6 mg/ml, respectively) and alcoholic extract of the Garlic (with mean MIC, MBC 329.6 and 659.2 mg/ml, respectively) (P<0.05). Clinical isolates of S. aureus showed the highest susceptibility to garlic alcoholic extract, followed by aqueous extract of garlic and alcoholic extract of aloe vera (with mean MIC, 156.8, 188.8 and 198.4 mg/ml, respectively). The results showed that the isolates of P. aeruginosa were resistant to both garlic and aloe vera extracts. Considering the significant antibacterial effects of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of garlic and alcoholic extract of aloe vera on pathogenic bacteria, that contribute to the development of various types of infectious and nosocomial infections, these extracts can be considered as natural and alternative drugs.

Keywords

• Garlic
• Aloe vera
• MIC
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Escherichia coli.