Abstract

EFFECT OF LONG STORAGE PERIOD ON THE STABILITY OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF MYRTUS COMMUNIS EXTRACT ON MUTI-DRUG RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER BAUMANNII

Salwa I. A. Abdulla-Eltawaty* and Sherif A. Houssein-Solymani

.

Abstract

Introduction: Study of the antibacterial activity and the stability of phytoconstituents of medicinal plants is an important field to be studied. Aim: This study aimed to test and compare the antibacterial activity of fresh and old methanol extract of leaves of Myrtus communis plant against multi-drug resistant clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolate. Method: Disc agar diffusion assay was used to assess the antibacterial activity. Absolute Methanol was used as a solvent, and Soxhlet Apparatus and Rotary Evaporator were used for extraction and evaporating purposes. Results: This study proved that both fresh and old extract have near close good activity against tested multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii with a mean diameter of inhibition zones of 22.85± 5, and 23mm ± 5, respectively, and suggested that Myrtus communis comprise stable compounds that can withstand the long storage at room temperature and retained its biological activity/s. Conclusion: This study concludes that Myrtus communis contains active phytochemical compounds of good stability and have good activity against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, the result making it a promising resource for a new antibacterial agent that may help in saving a patient's life.

Keywords: Myrtus communis, Stability on storage, Multi-drug resistant clinical Acinetobacter baumannii.