In vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of Smyrnium cordifolium boiss. (Umbelliferae) extract

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ethanolic extract of Smyrnium cordifolium Boiss. the ethanolic extract was subjected to screening for its possible antioxidant activity. Namely DPPH free radical scavenging, FTC system and total phenolic compounds were used. Also, Antibacterial activity of ethanolic extract using Gentamicin and Tetracycline as the reference standards were tested against Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results revealed good antioxidant activity of the extract. The ethanolic extract of S. cordifolium exhibited an antibacterial activity at different levels against strains reported as the causal agents of diseases and this extract inhibited Gram positive bacteria significantly higher than Gram negative bacteria. Observed antioxidant and antibacterial properties of ethanolic extract of the S. cordifolium in this study showed that this plant might be useful source for the development of new and more potent natural antioxidants and antibacterial. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.