Abstract:
Gram positive cocci are ubiquitous microorganisms important in human
and animal infections. The use of antibiotics to treat these infections is limited because
of emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can be transferred to man and should
adapt to withdrawal period in order to minimize antibiotic residue. Therefore, many
research studies are being carried out to find non-antibiotic approaches in order to
reduce the use of antibiotics. In the traditional veterinary medicine, medicinal herbs are
used to treat animal diseases. This is believed to be natural and safe therapeutic
methods. In this in-vioo study, the Karuncheerakam (Nigella sativa) oil was examined
for its antibacterial activity against the most common Gram positive bacteria, in order to
develop an herbal remedy as a substitute for antibiotics. In this study, 84 Staphylococci
organisms and 52 Streptococci organisms isolated from 100 veterinary clinical
specimens were investigated. The disc-diffusion assay was used to detect the
antibacterial activity. The antibacterial effect of this oil was very impressive as
evidenced by the inhibition zone sizes obtained and all the isolated organisms tested
were susceptible. In conclusion, the antibacterial activity of this oil on Gram positive
bacteria was highly significant and this study suggests that Karuncheerakam oil can be
used as an antibacterial agent targeting on Gram positive bacterial infection. However,
this oil should be further examined through proper pharmacological and clinical
investigations in order to be considered as a new alternative therapy for these infections.
