Assessment of the antimicrobial activity of Melissa officinalis and Lawsonia inermis extracts against some bacterial pathogens

The postburn infections especially antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections have been recognized as a significant and major public health problem. Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are among very important bacterial pathogens isolated from postburn infections. The present study has evaluated the antimicrobial activity of some plant extracts (Melissa officinalis and Lawsonia inermis) against some bacterial pathogens causing burn wound infection. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts were determined using the microdilution method. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of L. inermis leaves or powder and hydro-alcoholic extract of M. officinalis were studied. All extracts had the highest antibacterial activity against S. aureus. Although there was no significant difference between antibacterial activity of L. inermis leaves and powder extracts, significant difference was observed between alcoholic and aqueous extracts of this plant. In addition, the results showed that alcoholic extract of L. inermis powder and M. officinalis extracts showed synergistic effect. Overall, these findings support the potential benefits of M. officinalis and L. inermis extracts in the treatment of burn infections.