Comparing the Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Descurainia sophia (L.) Seed and Althaea officinalis Root on Streptococcus pyogenes

Background: Owning to therapeutic properties, flixweed and marsh mallow have traditionally been very important in Iran. In this research study the effect of various concentrations of ethanol flixweed seed and marsh mallow root extracts, collected from different areas of Iran, was studied on Streptococcus pyogenes; the effect of the extract with antibiotics of penicillin, erythromycin and amoxicillin was compared in a completely randomized design with four replications.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, discs impregnated with concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 250 mg/mL were prepared from ethanol extract of flixweed concentration in Jiroft, Baghin, Rafsanjan and Kohbanan as well as marsh mallow root extract in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd and Kerman. Then, they were placed on culture medium of blood agar that S. pyogenes has grown on. Finally, inhibitory effect was evaluated.

Results: The results showed that, among different areas and available antibiotics, the highest inhibition zone was related to marsh mallow root extract of Yazd in concentration of 250 mg/mL with 14.5 mm. Beta hemolysis was observed on concentrations of 50, 100 and 250 mg/mL of flixweed seed extracts in all areas; thus, these concentrations are not suitable for producing herbal medicine. Concentration of 25 mg/mL, however, showed no hemolysis in all areas. The best extract to produce herbal medicines with flixweed seed was related to concentrations of 25 mg/mL. Penicillin had the highest inhibition zone with 8.31 mm.

Conclusion: Considering the significant difference in the level of 0.01%, marsh mallow root extracts have more anti-bacterial effect than flixweed seed extracts.