In vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Salvia multicaulis

Abstract

Some aromatic plants such as Salvia are used for medical purposes. Compounds such as germacrene, linalool, 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol), borneol, ot-pinene, ß-pinene, camphor and camphene are found in the genus Salvia. Salvia multicaulis is one of 17 Salvia species endemic to Iran. In this study, antimicrobial activity of essential oil and ethyl acetate and ether extracts of S. multicaulis were examined against some species of bacteria and fungi. The essential oil of the aerial part of S. multicaulis was examined by GC and GC-MS. In the essential oil of S .multicaulis 27 Compounds have been identified. Benzyl benzoate (60.3 %), n-hexyl benzoate (16.7 %), Amyl benzoate (5.2 %) and 2- octyl benzoate (4.2 %) were the main components of the essential oil. The essential oil analysis showed greatest antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (5.3 µg/ml) and S. cerevisiae (9.3 µg/ml). The ethyl acetate showed greatest antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis (106.7 µg/ml), Candida albicans (5.3 µg/ml) and ether extract showed greatest antimicrobial activity against Klebseilla pneumoniae (10.7 µg/ml) and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (10.7 µg/ml). In conclusion, we suggest that the antimicrobial activity of S. multicaulis may be due to its content of germacrene and linalool.