Investigation of the Antibacterial Effect of Native Peganum harmala, Mentha pulegium and Alcea rosea Hydro-alcoholic Extracts on Antibiotic Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumonia Isolated from Baku, Azerbaijan

Background: Pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, is associated with high mortality and complications in humans. Current antibiotics are used to treat this infectious disease, but may lead to many problems such as unwanted side effects and resistance to antibiotics. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of the hydro alcoholic extracts of the native medicinal plants Peganum harmala, Mentha pulegium and Alcea rosea, in Baku, as a natural alternative to antibiotics, on antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, the main bacteria that cause pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Antibacterial activity of the hydro alcoholic extracts of medicinal part of these plants was evaluated by the disk diffusion susceptibility test method and the broth dilution test method on bacteria. Results: The rate of MIC of P. harmala, M. pulegium and A. rosea extracts of S. pneumoniae were 80, 110 and 375μgμL-1 and for K. pneumoniae were 150, 230 and 680μgμL-1 respectively, and the rate of MBC were 120, 165 and 550μgμL-1 for S. pneumoniae and 210, 315 and 800μgμL-1 forK. pneumonia respectively; The maximum amount of inhibition zone diameter in500μgμL-1 concentration of P. harmala, M. pulegium and A. rosea extracts for S. pneumoniae were 21.2mm, 17.2mm, 6.9mmand for K. pneumonia were10.1mm, 8.1mm, 3.2mm, respectively. Conclusion: This work showed that substances in the hydro-alcoholic extracts of medicinal plants prevented the growth of bacteria. So these plants with having effective ingredients can be used as an affordable and available source for medicinal purposes.