In VitroAntibacterial Activity of Essential Oils againstStreptococcus pyogenes
Streptococcus pyogenesplays an important role in the pathogenesis of tonsillitis. The present study was conducted to evaluate thein vitroantibacterial activities of 18 essential oils chemotypes from aromatic medicinal plants againstS. pyogenes. Antibacterial activity of essential oils was investigated using disc diffusion method. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of essential oils showing an important antibacterial activity was measured using broth dilution method. Out of 18 essential oils tested, 14 showed antibacterial activity againstS. pyogenes. Among themCinnamomum verum, Cymbopogon citratus, Thymus vulgaris CT thymol, Origanum compactum, andSatureja montanaessential oils exhibited significant antibacterial activity. Thein vitroresults reported here suggest that, for patients suffering from bacterial throat infections, if aromatherapy is used, these essential oils, considered as potential antimicrobial agents, should be preferred.