Authors : Parviz Owlia , Iraj Rasooli and Hhorieh Saderi
Abstract: Streptococci have gained increasing attention as pathogens of public health importance owing to large numbers of outbreaks of streptococcal infections. Because of negative consumer perception of chemical drugs and development of drug resistance, attention is shifting towards natural alternatives. Particular interest has been focused on the potential application of plant essential oils. The objective of the present study was to determine antibacterial efficacy and antioxidant property brought about by essential oils from Matricaria chamomilla L. Disk diffusion and tube dilution methods were employed to evaluate inhibition, Minimal Inhibitory (MIC) and Minimal Bactericidal (MBC) concentrations and bactericidal kinetics of the oil. Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus sanguis were exposed to essential oils of Matricaria chamomilla L. The oil composition was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Antioxidant activity was determined by â-carotene bleaching test.The oil from the above plant was found to be strongly antimicrobial. MICs/MBCs of Matricaria chamomilla L. oil determined for Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus faecalis and Streptococcus sanguis in terms of ìg/ml were 0.1/0.2, 0.5/1.5, 0.5/0.8, 4/7 and 0.5/1.1, respectively. The oil analysis lead to identification of 18 components of which the major ones were: guaiazulene (25.6%), (E)- -faranesens (20.1%), chamazulene (12.4%), -bisabolol oxide B (7.3%), -bisabolol (7.3%) and hexadecanole (5.6%). In the â -carotene bleaching test, the oil gave the best inhibition result of 82.5% after 120 minutes.The antistreptococcal effects of Matricaria chamomilla L. oil is stronger at lower concentrations against various streptococci strains tested. It is concluded that low concentrations of M. chamomilla essential oil could be considered as alternative antistreptococal and antioxidant agent.
Parviz Owlia , Iraj Rasooli and Hhorieh Saderi , 2007. Antistreptococcal and Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil from Matricaria chamomilla L. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 155-160.