Antibacterial Effect of Zataria multiflora Extract on MRSA

One of the common nosocomial bacteria is methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Todays, herbal extracts like Zataria multiflora from Lamiaceae family are increasingly used. The aim of this study is the evaluation the antibacterial effect of Zataria Multiflora exteract on MRSA. 232 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were examined for isolation of MRSA strains. As a result, 75 out of 232 strains were identified as MRSA by oxacillin screening method. Consequently, the antibacterial effect of Zataria multiflora on 75 strains of MRSA was evaluated. The extract of Z.multiflora was prepared from dried leaves, using maceration method. The antibacterial activity of the extract with initial concentration of 200 µg/ml was determined by micro broth dilution method. It is showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is varied from 2-16 µg/ml for MRSA strains. It inhibited the growth of S.epidermidis, S.saprophyticus and methicillin sensitive S.aureus (MSSA), with approximately 8-16 µg/ml. The minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract that could destroy 62.6% MRSA strains and the other examined bacteria was 512 µg/ml and more. It seems that Zataria multiflora extract could inhibit the growth of all of mentioned bacteria. The bactericidal effect of Zataria multiflora extract was less than its bacteriostatic effect.