Antimicrobial effects of natural extracts on bacteria isolated from the uterus of Hanwoo (Korean native cattle)

(Received: July 11, 2014; Revised: September 1, 2014; Accepted: September 11, 2014)Abstract : Bacterial infection of the uterus in Hanwoo can kill embryos. Therefore, many antibiotics have been usedto treat this infection in the uterus of repeat breeders. Incorrect use of antibiotics has led to resistance in bacteria.Natural compounds have used as substitutes for antibiotics because they are safe and have very mild side effects.This study was conducted to examine the antimicrobial effects of five extracts from medicinal plants including Humulusjaponicas (Hj), Phelledendron amurense (Pa), Viola mandshurica (Vm), Carthamus tinctorius (Ct), and Chelidoni herba(Ch) on bacteria isolated from the uterus of Hanwoo using the paper disc diffusion method. Hj and Pa extracts hadpotent antimicrobial effects against Staphylococcus lentus, Streptococcus infantarius subsp. coli, and Bacillus pumilus.Pa had the greatest antimicrobial effect among the five medicinal plants and was effective against 19 types of bacteriafrom bovine uterus. Compared to Pa, Hj showed weaker antimicrobial effects on all the bacteria tested exceptPseudomonas aeruginosa. Vm, Ct, and Ch also showed weak antimicrobial effects on the tested bacteria. The resultsobtained suggest that Hj and Pa are natural compounds suitable for treating bacterial infection in repeat breeders andimproving conception rates of Hanwoo.Keywords : antibacterial effects, bacterial flora, Hanwoo, natural product, uterus