ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 2 (9), pp. 001-004, September, 2011. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Antibacterial evaluation of selected Moroccan medicinal plants against Streptococcus pneumoniae
K. Warda1, M. Markouk1*, K. Bekkouche1, M. Larhsini1 A. Abbad1, A. Romane2 and M. Bouskraoui3
1Laboratory of Biotechnology, Protection and Valorisation of Plant Resources, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Aromatic and Medicinal Plant Unit, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco.
2Laboratory of Applied Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Semlalia, Marrakesh, Morocco.
3Laboratory of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Marrakesh, Morroco.
Accepted 12 February, 2011
Abstract
In Morocco, most people particularly in rural areas use medicinal plants to treat diseases. In order to find new antipneumococcal extracts, an ethnobotanical survey has been conducted in different regions of Marrakesh (south of Morocco). Four plants often cited by traditional practitioners (Marrubium vulgare, Thymus pallidus, Eryngium ilicifolium and Lavandula stoechas) are tested against Streptococcus pneumoniae responsible for pharyngitis, rhinitis, otitis and sinusitis infections. Aqueous and methanol extracts have been prepared and tested on S. pneumoniae collected in four regions of Marrakesh. A significant activity has been observed with methanol extracts of three plants; M. vulgare, T. pallidus and L. stoechas (MIC= 256 µg/ml).
Key words: Streptococcus pneumoniae, antibacterial activity, medicinal plants, phytochemical screening.