Antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral activities of the lipophylic extracts of Pistacia vera

Microbiol Res. 2005;160(2):159-64. doi: 10.1016/j.micres.2004.11.002.

Abstract

In the present study, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties of 15 lipohylic extracts obtained from different parts (leaf, branch, stem, kernel, shell skins, seeds) of Pistacia vera were screened against both standard and the isolated strains of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and C. parapsilosis by microdilution method. Both Herpes simplex (DNA) and Parainfluenza viruses (RNA) were used for the determination of antiviral activity of the P. vera extracts by using Vero cell line. Ampicilline, ofloxocine, ketoconazole, fluconazole, acyclovir and oseltamivir were used as the control agents. The extracts showed little antibacterial activity between the range of 128-256 microg/ml concentrations whereas they had noticeable antifungal activity at the same concentrations. Kernel and seed extracts showed significant antiviral activity compared to the rest of the extracts as well as the controls.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antifungal Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Pistacia / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • RNA Viruses / drug effects
  • Simplexvirus / drug effects
  • Vero Cells

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Antifungal Agents
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Plant Extracts