Comparision of Aqueous and Hydroalcoholic Extracts of Foeniculum Vulgare and Carum Copticum with Gentamicin on Escherichia Coli Strains: in Vitro Study

Due to bacterial resistance to antibiotics, new antibacterial agents is essential. In Persian medicine Fennel (Fuenoculum vulgare Mill.) and Ajwain (Carum copticum (L.) Benth. & Hook.f.) are recommended for the treatment of some infections. In this research, bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of fennel and Ajwain on E. coli were investigated. In an in-vitro study 30 clinical isolates of urine culture of children with urinary tract infection from Amirkola Pediatric Hospital in Babol and a standard sample were used. Antibacterial effects of 4 grouos including aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of fennel and Ajwain by measuring the diameter of the inhibition zone using disc diffusion (concentrations 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and 512 mg/disc) and determination of Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) with Microdilution method was compared with Gentamicin (30mg/disc) as a positive control
FINDINGS: There was no significant difference in inhibition zone with Gentamicin at concentrations of 64, 128, 256, and 512 mg/disc in standard and clinical samples. At concentrations of 16 and 32, Gentamicin was significantly better. The extract of 512 mg/disc (12.93±2.66) of hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum was significantly better than 256 mg/disc (9.53±1) (p=0.002). The MIC and MBC for standard samples were 4 and 8, respectively, and for clinical samples 3.83±2.36 and 5.8 mg / ml, respectively. Other extracts were not able to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli.
The results showed that the Hydroalcoholic extract of Carum copticum has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on standard and clinical isolates of Escherichia coli.