In vitro antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of selected medicinal plants and herbs against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC49476

Nature provides an abundance of medicinal plants and herbs that serve as the primary source of traditional medicines that can be used to treat a variety of ailments. Because of their effectiveness and lack of adverse effects when compared to contemporary synthetic medications. Issues of bacterial resistance to antibiotics are a serious global problem. Currently, new novel antimicrobials and/or new approaches to combat the problems are urgently needed. This study aims to determine the antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of five medicinal plants (Pandanus amaryllifolius, Murraya koenigii, Cymbopogon citratus, Cymbopogon nardus, and Curcuma Longa) and five herbs (Piper nigrum (black pepper), Syzygium aromaticum (clove), Cinnamomum verum (cinnamon), Coriandrum sativum (coriander), Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom)) against Staphylococcus aureus culture and Methicillin Resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRAS). The samples were collected from home and purchased from the wet market at Shah Alam. Determination of antibacterial effects was assessed by using the well diffusion method against pathogens. From the results, Pandanus amaryllifolius and Murraya koenigii have antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA ATCC49476. Meanwhile, Cinnamomum verum, Curcuma Longa, Piper nigrum, and Cymbopogon citratus only have antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus cultures. Others medicinal plant and herbs did not show any antibacterial activities. The result shows that only two medicinal plants have more effectiveness antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. This study could be further to explore its effectiveness known as therapeutic agents against the multi-drug resistance bacteria in the future.