In vitro activity of Ginger and Saffron against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae are the main causes of pneumonia associated with morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years of age worldwide, representing 43% of cases. Ginger and Saffron are among the widely used medicinal plants for having antimicrobial action. Objective: to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils, hydroalcoholic extracts of Ginger and Saffron against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Material and Methods: this laboratory-experimental research used the Kirby˗Bauer method to test antibacterial activity. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 20.0. The Shapiro˗Wilk test was used to verify the normality of the data, Mann˗Whitney test to compare the means between the groups, Spearman's correlation coefficient to verify the behavior of the halos as a function of the concentrations. Results: The Ginger extract, halos of 8.67, 7.33, 7.00 and 0.00mm were obtained against Streptococcus pneumoniae and halos of 6.00, 5.33, 0.00 and 0.00 against Klebsiella pneumoniae, at concentrations Gross, 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The saffron extract showed halos of 15.33, 11.00, 8.67 and 7.67 against Streptococcus pneumoniae; 9.67, 9.33, 8.00 and 7.33 against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Ginger oil had a halo of 10.67mm against Streptococcus pneumoniae and 0.67mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Saffron had halos of 13 mm for Streptococcus pneumoniae and 1.00 mm for Klebsiella pneumoniae. Conclusion: hydroalcoholic extracts and essential oils have antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with a statistically significant difference. Saffron metabolites were more effective than ginger metabolites on both microorganisms.