In Vitro Antibacterial Effects of Thymol and Carvacrol on Dysentery Bacteria and Common Bacteria Causing Enteritis

Objective To study the antibacterial effects of thymol and carvacrol on dysentery bacteria and common bacteria causing enteritis in vitro. Methods The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of thymol and carvacrol for dysentery bacteria (4 serum types) and 71 strains of pathogenic Escherichia coli and other bacteria causing enteritis were determined in vitro with the dilution method. Results The MIC and MBC of thymol for dysentery bacteria were 0.125-0.250 mg·mL~(-1) and 0.250-0.500 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The MIC and MBC of thymol for the common bacteria causing enteritis were 0.031-0.500 mg·mL~(-1) and 0.062-1.000 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The MIC and MBC of carvacrol for dysentery bacteria were 0.125-0.500 mg.mL~(-1) and 0.250-1.000 mg·mL~(-1), respectively. The MIC and MBC of carvacrol for the common bacteria causing enteritis were 0.062-0.500 mg·mL~(-1) and 0.125-1.000 mg·mL~(-1) , respectively. Conclusion Thymol and carvacrol were shown to be the major antibacterial components of origanum vulgare,These 2 substances exerted fairly strong bacteriostatic and bactericial effects on dysentery bacteria and common bacteria causing enteritis in vitro.