Comparative evaluation of phenolic and flavonoids compounds, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of methanol extract of Artemisia annua L., Thymus vulgaris L., Matricaria chamomilla L., Salvia officinalis L. and Pistacia atlantica var mutica.

In this study the aerial parts of Artemisia annua, Thymus vulgaris and Salvia officinalis Matricaria chamomill and Fruit of Pistacia atlantica in blooming were collected from farms and habitats of Sistan and Baloochestan and Fars province in 2016.The plant extracts were obtained by maceration method, phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined by Folin-Ciocaltiu and Aluminum Chloride colorimetric, antioxidant activities were studied by method DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) and then antimicrobial activities were estimated by disk-diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The plant extract of Artemisia annua and Thymus vulgaris respectively had maximum total phenolic (22.36 mg/g DW) and flavonoid contents (142.59 mg/g DW), antioxidant activity (IC50: 72.01 µg/ml and 70.75 µg/ml) and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli respectively with inhibition zone (15.1 and 16.8 mm) and they were the most sensitive bacteria to plant extracts. Generally, the methanolic extract of the plants demonstrated different levels of antioxidant activity; in addition, the best antioxidant activity was related to Artemisia. Hence, it can be argued that these extracts of herb, instead of chemical drugs, can be used to treat infections. Furthermore, before using them all their side effects should be carefully investigated in in vitro accompanied by in vivo studies