Can Moor-e-Talkh, a Persian medicinal plant, be used to treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria?

A study published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine revealed that Salvia mirzayanii, a Persian medicinal plant also known as Moor-e-Talkh, could be effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The researchers involved in the study believe that S. mirzayanii can be used to develop natural antibacterial and antifungal remedies for various illnesses such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

• Countless medical experts have expressed concern that the number of pathogens resistant to available drugs is still steadily growing. Because of this worldwide public health concern, scientists are turning to natural alternative remedies that can be used to develop efficient cures for antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
• For the study, researchers looked into the chemical composition and in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oil derived from Salvia mirzayanii, a Persian medicinal plant. The plant is called “Moor-e-Talkh” in Persian.
• The scientists examined the chemical constituents of S. mirzayanii essential oil via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). To determine the antimicrobial activity of the essential oil, the study authors used broth microdilution.
• The study revealed that S. mirzayanii essential oil had compounds such as 1,8-cineole, alpha-terpinyl acetate, and linalool acetate, which could be the source of the plant’s antimicrobial properties.
• Test results showed that essential oil from S. mirzayanii considerably inhibited the growth of all gram-positive bacteria. Additionally, testing confirmed that the essential oil had potent antifungal properties.

According to the study authors, the powerful antibacterial and antifungal activities of essential oil from S. mirzayanii can potentially be used to develop natural cures for antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

View the full text of study at this link.

You can read more articles about the health benefits of S. mirzayanii and other natural cures at Healing.news.

Journal Reference: 

Zomorodian K, Moein M, Pakshir K, Karami F, Sabahi Z. CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE ESSENTIAL OIL FROM SALVIA MIRZAYANII LEAVES. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine. 2017;22(4):770–776. DOI: 10.1177/2156587217717414