Antibacterial effects of essential oils on Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli

| Posted in: Science

Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Antibacterial activity of some essential oils against staphylococcus aureus and e. coli
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:

This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.

Author:

Khaldoon Obad, Khaled S. Ali, Abdulla M. Lakal, K. S. Bekshokov, M.S. Saidov


World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:

(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)

Full text available for: Antibacterial activity of some essential oils against staphylococcus aureus and e. coli

Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research

Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20164-6018

Copyright (license): WJPR: All rights reserved


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Summary of article contents:

Introduction

The study conducted by Khaled et al. in 2016 explored the antibacterial activity of essential oils derived from various medicinal plants against two common bacterial pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The essential oils tested included those from Piper nigrum (black pepper), Ocimum basilicum (basil), Zingiber officinale (ginger), and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon). Increasing resistance of microbes to conventional antibiotics necessitates the exploration of alternative antimicrobial agents, particularly those derived from plants, as they hold the potential for effective treatments.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Cinnamon Oil

One of the most significant findings of the study was the superior antibacterial activity exhibited by cinnamon oil compared to the other essential oils. The research indicated that cinnamon oil demonstrated the highest zones of inhibition against both Staphylococcus aureus (40.3 ± 1.5 mm) and E. coli (28.3 ± 2.9 mm). This establishes cinnamon oil not only as an effective component for combating these pathogens but also highlights its potential as a natural preservative in food and a therapeutic agent in medicinal practices.

Comparative Activity of Other Essential Oils

Conversely, the study revealed that the other essential oils, while demonstrating some degree of antibacterial activity, were significantly less effective than cinnamon oil. For instance, essential oils from black pepper, basil, and ginger showed moderate antibacterial action mainly against Staphylococcus aureus, with little to no activity against E. coli. This disparity underlines the importance of selecting specific essential oils based on their targeted bacterial efficacy when considering their use in therapeutic applications.

Significance of Plant-Based Antimicrobials

The potential of essential oils as antimicrobial agents is particularly relevant in light of the growing issue of antimicrobial resistance. Traditional herbal medicines utilize various plants for their medicinal properties, and this study reinforces the role of essential oils as viable alternatives to synthetic antibiotics. The complex compounds found within these oils, including peptides and phenols, contribute to their antimicrobial properties, warranting further investigation into their mechanisms of action and their efficacy against resistant strains of bacteria.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study carried out by Khaled et al. underscores the promising application of essential oils, particularly cinnamon oil, as effective antibacterial agents against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The differences in antibacterial activity among the tested oils illustrate the need for targeted research to optimize the use of plant-derived compounds in clinical and food preservation contexts. As bacterial resistance to antibiotics increases, the exploration of natural antimicrobial alternatives offers a crucial avenue for future therapeutic strategies.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What essential oils were tested for antibacterial activity?

The study tested four essential oils: Piper nigrum, Ocimum basilicum, Zingiber officinale, and Cinnamum zeylanicum against Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli.

Which essential oil showed the highest antibacterial activity?

Cinnamum zeylanicum exhibited the maximum antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli with inhibition zones of 40.3 mm and 28.3 mm, respectively.

How was the antibacterial activity measured in this study?

Antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar diffusion method, measuring the zone of inhibition around wells containing essential oils compared to controls.

What were the results for E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus?

All essential oils showed better activity against Staphylococcus aureus compared to E. coli, with cinnamon oil being the most effective.

What is the significance of herbal medicine in this study?

The study highlights herbal medicine as a promising alternative due to increasing resistance to conventional antibiotics, emphasizing the potential of essential oils.

How does the study contribute to antimicrobial research?

This research suggests that essential oils could be explored further as novel antimicrobial agents, reinforcing the importance of traditional medicinal plants.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antibacterial effects of essential oils on Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Activity:
Activity refers to the capacity of essential oils to inhibit the growth of bacteria, specifically in this context the antibacterial activity demonstrated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The measurement of this activity is critical to determine the effectiveness of these natural substances as alternatives to conventional antibiotics.

2) Aureus:
Aureus is a term used to refer to Staphylococcus aureus, a bacterium known for causing various infections in humans. Its relevance in the article is significant as it highlights the effectiveness of essential oils against this pathogen, providing insights into alternative treatments amid rising antibiotic resistance.

3) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibiotic refers to the class of drugs historically used to treat bacterial infections. Its relevance in the article stems from the study's objective to find natural replacements for antibiotics due to rising resistance among bacteria, emphasizing the need for discovering new effective antimicrobial agents.

4) Cinnamon:
Cinnamon is mentioned numerous times as one of the essential oils tested in the study. Its relevance lies in its demonstrated high antibacterial activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, making it a potential candidate for developing new natural antibacterial agents to combat resistant bacteria.

5) Zingiber officinale:
Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is another essential oil investigated in the study for its antimicrobial properties. Although its antibacterial effects were not as pronounced as cinnamon's, it still provides valuable data towards understanding the therapeutic potential of various essential oils in combating bacterial infections.

6) Table:
Table refers to the presentation of data that summarizes the findings of the antimicrobial activity of essential oils. It is an essential component that organizes results for easy comparison, helping readers quickly grasp the relative effectiveness of each essential oil against the bacteria studied.

7) Water:
Water serves as the negative control in the antibacterial activity assay. Its relevance is crucial as it establishes a baseline against which the activity of essential oils can be compared, confirming that observed effects are due to the essential oils rather than the test environment.

8) Study (Studying):
Study refers to the research conducted to evaluate the antibacterial activities of essential oils. Its significance lies in contributing scientific knowledge concerning alternative treatments for bacterial infections, especially in the context of the increasing challenge posed by antibiotic resistance in many pathogenic microorganisms.

9) Food:
Food is connected to the context in which Cinnamon and other essential oils are utilized. Historically, these oils not only serve as flavor enhancers but also possess antimicrobial properties that can improve food safety by preventing bacterial growth, underlining their importance in culinary and medicinal uses.

10) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the section of the paper where the authors interpret the findings and relate them to existing knowledge. It is relevant as it helps contextualize the study's results within broader antibacterial research, addressing implications for the development of new therapeutic options against resistant bacteria.

11) Developing:
Developing pertains to the formulation of new pharmacological agents based on the identified antibacterial properties of essential oils. This is highly relevant given the health challenge of rising antibiotic resistance, suggesting a shift towards exploring natural alternatives in medicine to tackle this pressing issue.

12) Medicine:
Medicine encompasses the field related to health and the treatment of diseases, including the use of essential oils as potential therapeutic agents. Its relevance indicates a shift towards integrating natural products in medical practice to provide alternative solutions for infections, especially with resistant bacterial strains.

13) Disease:
Disease refers to the state of health disturbance caused by infections from bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli. The relevance here emphasizes the importance of finding effective treatments, as the study aims to address the bacterial threats posed to public health through alternative means.

14) Family:
Family in this context likely refers to the botanical classification of the tested essential oils. Understanding the family of each plant helps elucidate their characteristics and potential medicinal properties, crucial for the study's purpose of investigating natural antibiotics derived from different plant families.

15) Shiva (Siva):
Shiva is likely part of a citation referencing a specific study or finding within the broader research community. Its relevance draws attention to collaborative findings in research, supporting the claims made in the current study about the effects of certain essential oils on bacterial strains.

16) India:
India connects to the geographical and cultural context surrounding the study of medicinal plants such as Zingiber officinale (ginger) and their traditional uses. Its relevance opens discussions about the historical and ongoing applications of herbal treatments from this region in modern medicine.

17) Rani:
Rani is likely a reference to an author or researcher contributing to the body of knowledge on essential oils and their antibacterial properties. Mentioning contributors underlines the collaborative nature of scientific research, connecting findings from various studies in this field.

18) Drug:
Drug signifies any chemical substance used to prevent, treat, or cure disease, including natural compounds like essential oils. Its relevance is critical as the study aims to find plant-derived alternatives to synthetic drugs, addressing the growing concern over antibiotic resistance in the medical field.

Other Science Concepts:

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antibacterial effects of essential oils on Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Zingiber officinale, Ocimum basilicum, Essential oil, Herbal medicine, Antibacterial activity, Zone of inhibition, Staphylococcus aureus, Volatile oil, Positive control, Negative control, E. coli, Piper nigrum.

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