IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ONION (ALLIUM CEPA) AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES OF VIBRIO CHOLERAE

Authors

  • Abdul Hannan
  • Tabish Humayun
  • Muhammad Barkaat Hussain
  • Muhammad Yasir
  • Sumayya Sikandar

Abstract

Background: Cholera is a major public health problem in developing countries of the world.Bacterial resistance, lack of surveillance data and proper microbiological facilities are majorproblems regarding diagnosis of cholera. The spread of microbial drug resistance is a global publichealth challenge that results in increased illness and death rate. Newer antimicrobials or agents areurgently required to overcome this problem. This work was therefore done to investigate theantimicrobial potential of onion against thirty-three clinical isolates of Vibrio cholerae. Methods:The extract was prepared by reflux extraction method. Antibacterial screening of clinical isolatesof V. cholerae was done by agar well diffusion method. Agar dilution method was used to assessthe Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Results: All tested strains of V. cholerae weresensitive to onion (Allium cepa) extracts of two types (purple and yellow). Purple type of extracthad MIC range of 19.2–21.6 mg/ml. The extract of yellow type onion had an MIC range of 66–68.4 mg/ml. Conclusion: The results indicated that onion (Allium cepa) has an inhibitory effect onV. cholerae. Keeping in view the anti-bacterial activity of this compound can be exploited as atherapeutic agent in an animal model. This finding is a positive point for further investigation ofthis herb of traditional medicine.Keywords: Vibrio cholerae, resistance, Allium cepa, antibacterial activity, extract

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Published

2010-06-01

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