title: In Vitro efficacy of antimicrobial extracts against the atypical ruminant pathogen Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mycoplasmosis is a common infection in human and veterinary medicine, and is associated with chronic inflammation and high morbidity. Mycoplasma species are often intrinsically resistant to many conventional antimicrobial therapies, and the resistance patterns of pathogenic mycoplasmas to commonly used medicinal (antimicrobial) plant extracts are currently unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Aqueous extracts, ethanol extracts, or oils of the targeted plant species and colloidal silver were prepared or purchased. Activity against the wall-less bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. capri was determined and compared to activities measured against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by broth microdilution assays. The lethal or inhibitory nature of each extract was determined by subculture into neat growth medium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Growth of M. mycoides capri, E. coli, and B. subtilis was inhibited by elderberry extract, oregano oil, ethanol extract of oregano leaves, and ethanol extract of goldenseal root. No inhibition was seen with aqueous extract of astragalus or calendula oil. Growth of M. mycoides capri and B. subtilis was inhibited by ethanol extract of astragalus, whereas growth of E. coli was not. Similarly, M. mycoides capri and E. coli were inhibited by aqueous extract of thyme, but B. subtilis was unaffected. Only B. subtilis was inhibited by colloidal silver. Measured MICs ranged from 0.0003 mg/mL to 3.8 mg/mL. Bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects differed by species and extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The atypical pathogen M. mycoides capri was sensitive to extracts from many medicinal plants commonly used as antimicrobials in states of preparation and concentrations currently available for purchase in the United States and Europe. Variation in bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities between species and extracts indicates that multiple effecter compounds are present in these plant species.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Fisher College of Science and Mathematics, Towson University, Towson, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Arjoon
authors.forename: Charlotte V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Saylor
authors.forename: Meghan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009175:Mycoplasma Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D009176:Mycoplasma mycoides / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012418:Ruminants; D012834:Silver / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012834:Silver