Antibacterial Activity of Ethanol Extract of Saussurea lappa

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the antibacterial activity of Saussurea lappa for the applications of herb-based extracts to both cosmetic and medicinal industries. Methods : Antibacterial activity of ethanol extract of Saussutes lappa (ESL) was assessed using agar diffusion and broth dilution methods, and determined by whether clear zone was formed around paper disc and in terms of the size (mm) of clear zone, Results : ESL provided activity against Staphylococcus aureus KCTC 1927 in concentration of 1 mg/ml with an clear zone of 16 mm, and showed an activity against Staphylococcus epidermids KCTC 1917 in concentration of 1 mg/ml with an clear zone of 18mm. Moreover, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ESL against S. sureus and S. epidermidls were 1 mg/ml for both bacterial species. However, ESL showed no growth inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa KCTC 12513, Enterobactet aerogenes KCTC 2190, Escherichia coli KCTC 2571, Salmonella typhimurium KCTC 1925 and Propionibacterium acnes KCCM 41747. Conclusions : Antibacterial activity of ESL against Staphylococcus sureus and Staphylococcus epidermids causing eye and skin diseases was proved. The result suggest that ESL may be useful as a natural preservative on behalf of synthetic preservatives.