Evaluation of Nerium oleander aqueous extract effect on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis

Antibiotic resistance has paved the way for replacing conventional medications with herbal therapies that supposedly have less side- effects. The present study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effect of Nerium oleander on strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. In this experimental study، the aqueous extract effect of Nerium oleander''s leaf and flower on Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis was independently investigated at three 12. 5، 25 and 50 mg/ml concentrations، in 20، 40 and 80µl by well diffusion and disk methods. Antibiogram test was performed on these two strains with three antibiotics، namely، oxitetracycline، erythromycin and penicillin. The diameter zone of inhibition was measured and the effect of extract was evaluated. According to antibiogram test Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to erythromycin، but resistant to oxitetracycline and penicillin. Staphylococcus epidermis was relatively resistant to erythromycin، but resistant to oxitetracycline and penicillin. Staphylococcus aureus was sensitive to 40 and 80 µl in 25 mg/ml concentration and all amounts of leaf extract in 50 mg/ml concentration. But، Staphylococcuy epiderm showed no sensitirity to the mentioned concentrations. In all concentrations adding the amount of extract from 20 to 80 µl، the mean of diameter zone was increased. Leaf extract had more inhibitoty effect compared to flower extract. Regarding the fact that antibiotic resistance is growing، the extract of Nerium oleander might be used as an antibacterial compound for external application on wounds and removal of epidermal infections.