Inhibitory activity of Iranian endemic medicinal plants against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio harveyi

Antibacterial activity of six medicinal herbs and aromatic plants used in cooking was investigated with two Vibrio species. Essential oils of Thymus daenensis Celak., Satureja bachtiarica Bunge., Satureja khuzestanica Jamzad., Zataria multiflora Boiss., Achillea kellalensis Boiss. and Cuminun cyminum L. were screened against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio harveyi local isolated from infected fishes and shrimps by serial dilution assay. The essential oils of S. bachtiarica, S. khuzestanica, T. daenensis and Z. multiflora showed antibacterial activities against V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi. The highest level of antibacterial activity against V. parahaemolyticus was demonstrated by the essential oil of T. daenensis (minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) = 7 mu g/ml), and the highest level of antibacterial activity against V. harveyi was demonstrated by the essential oil of S. bachtiarica (MIC = 15 mu g/ml). The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi was demonstrated by the essential oil of S. bachtiarica (MBC = 31 mu g/ml). This is the first report of an inhibitory activity of Iranian medicinal plants, on strains of V. parahaemolyticus and V. harveyi.