Antimicrobial Activity of Piper betle, Ocimum sanctum and Trachyspermum ammi Leaves Against Enteropathogens: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Food-borne infections are common in humans by several factors. Microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites are involved in common food-borne infections. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus are notably associated bacteria with food-borne illness or gastrointestinal tract-related disease. Prevention or treatment of bacterial-associated food poisoning is achieved by antibiotic therapy, which has many negative impacts on human health. Such concern makes it necessary to find out healthy, safer, and natural alternatives to combat the disease. In Indian culture, Ayurveda always suggested chewing some medicinal herbal leaves for the betterment of gastrointestinal disease. In this study, herbal extract of three Indian traditional plants viz., Piper Betle, Ocimum sanctum Linn, and Trachyspermum ammi were evaluated for the antimicrobial property against four enteropathogenic bacteria, i.e., E. coli, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Bacillus cerus, by disc diffusion technique. Ethanolic extract of herbs showed variable activities against four bacteria, and all extracts can potentially inhibit the growth of enteropathogens. Results prove that these herbal extracts can be used as a natural alternative against pathogens and harmless antimicrobials for humans.