Thymus Vulgaris Extract as a Natural Antimicrobial to Prevent North and East Syrian Nosocomial Microbes

Abstract

Local herbal plants represent an important source of the traditional medicine and are a good source of nutrients. Healthcare-associated infections are a major issue in healthcare systems worldwide especially in low- and middle-income countries. Nosocomial infections following antibiotic resistance are an emerging problem in Middle Eastern countries, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of the present research was to verify the antibacterial activity of the methanol and ethanol extracts of Thymus vulgaris against seven nosocomial microbes, Staphylococcus, Enterococci, Aeromonas, Burkholderia, Acinetobacter, E. coli and Candida spp., isolated from hospitals of North and East Syria. For this, the analyses of Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) were determined by the well agar diffusion technique using and also disc diffusion method. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique was used for characterization of bioactive compounds in the extracts. Ethanol extract of Thymus vulgaris showed a strong inhibitory activity against Staphelococcus, Acinetobacter and Enterococcus with the MIC values ranging from 20 to 50 mg/mL while no differences between the ethanolic and methanol extracts were recorded for Burkholderia, E. coli, Aeromonas, with the MIC values ranging from 100 to 200 mg/mL and bactericidal effect for most strains, with MBC values ranging from 50 to 200 mg/mL. Moreover, the ethanol extract demonstrated a higher inhibition of Candida spp. compared to the methanol extract. Spathulenol (6.86%), thymol (3.41%) and p-cymene (3.4%) were reported as a major ethanol extract components of T. vulgaris. Therefore, Thyme ethanol extract presents itself as an antibacterial and antifungal agent against nosocomial microbes.