Antibacterial activity of Salvia officinalis (sage) against Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from throat culture

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the antibacterial effects of methanolic extracts of Salvia officinalis (leaves and roots) against Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from throat cultures, based on the hypothesis that these extracts may exhibit inhibitory activity against clinical isolates, as suggested by previous reports of its antimicrobial potential.

Materials and Methods: After the plant was collected, it was separated into leaf and root parts, dried at 70°C for 24 hours, and then powdered. Dried plant samples were extracted in methanol for 24 hours. The broth microdilution method was used to determine antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the extracts against the isolates were determined.

Results: MIC values of leaf and root extracts against isolates ranged from 7.8-125 µg/ml and 7.8-500 µg/ml, respectively; MBC values ranged from 7.8-125 µg/ml and 7.8-500 µg/ml, respectively. In general, lower MIC and MBC valueswere observed in leaf extracts than in root extracts.

Conclusion: Different methods are used in studies investigating the antibacterial effect of S. officinalis, and no standard method exists. If the safe use limits for sage are determined through cytotoxicity studies and a standard method is developed, S. officinalis can be used as a supplement for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant strains.