title: In-Vitro, Anti-Bacterial Activities of Aqueous Extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo Against Gram Positive and Gram Negative Bacteria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluations of the in-vitro anti-bacterial activities of aqueous extracts of Acacia catechu (L.F.)Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and Shilajita mumiyo against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) and gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are reasonable since these ethnomedicinal plants have been used in Persian folk medicine for treating skin diseases, venereal diseases, respiratory problems and nervous disorders for ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  The well diffusion method (KB testing) with a concentration of 250 μg/disc was used for evaluating the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Maximum synergistic effects of different combinations of components were also observed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A particular combination of Acacia catechu (L.F.) Willd, Castanea sativa, Ephedra sinica stapf and shilajita mumiyo extracts possesses an outstanding anti-bacterial activity. It's inhibiting effect on microorganisms is significant when compared to the control group (P< 0.05). Staphylococcus aureus was the most sensitive microorganism. The highest antibacterial activity against gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia) or gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was exerted by formula number 2 (Table1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results reveal the presence of antibacterial activities of Acacia catechu, Castanea sativa husk, Ephedra sp. and Mumiyo against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Synergistic effects in a combined formula, especially in formula number 2 (ASLAN(Ⓡ)) can lead to potential sources of new antiseptic agents for treatment of acute or chronic skin ulcers. These results considering the significant antibacterial effect of the present formulation, support ethno-pharmacological uses against diarrheal and venereal diseases and demonstrate use of these plants to treat infectious diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Integrative Medicine, Dubai Specialized Medical Center & Medical Research Lab, affiliated with Dubai Medical College and Dubai Pharmacy College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Mehrab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dashtdar
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, International Modern Hospital, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Mohammad Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Dashtdar
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Babak
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dashtdar
authors.affiliation: Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Khabaz
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Shirazi
authors.affiliation: Dubai Pharmacy College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Saeed Ahmad
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Khan
keywords: anti-bacterial activity; herbal medicine; minimum inhibitory concentration; plant aqueous extract; synergistic effects; zone of inhibition