حسن حبیبی

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis is the etiological agent of caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), a common disease in small ruminant populations throughout the world. Once established, this disease is difficult to eradicate because drug therapy is not effective and because the clinical detection of infected animals is of limited efficiency. In response to the propagation of bacteria resistant to many antibiotics, the discovery of new and more efficient antibacterial agents is Inevitable. The present study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of five essential oil of medical plants. In this study, the antibacterial effect of Pulicaria gnaphalodes, Ducrosia anethifolia, Carum copticum, Foeniculum vulgre and Majorana hortensis essential oils against Corynebacterium pseudotuberculsid were studied. The effect of essential oils of medicinal herbs on the growth of bacteria was determined by disc diffusion method and tetracycline was used as a control. Each essential oil tested in the present study displayed antibacterial activity on three bacterial strains except Pulicaria gnaphalodes and Ducrosia anethifolia. However differences were observed between antibacterial activities of the essential oil. Antibacterial efficacy shown by these plants provides a scientific basis and thus, validates their traditional uses as homemade remedies. Isolation and purification of different phytochemicals may further yield significant antibacterial agents.