Antibacterial Activities of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Portulaca oleracea Leaves and Seeds in Sistan Region, Southeastern Iran

Many efforts have been made by researchers to find new antibiotics which are clinically useful against bacteria and drug resistant microorganisms. We aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of leaves and seeds of the Portulaca oleracea plant in traditional medicine of Sistan region, southeast of Iran. In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, from January 2010 to January 2012, we studied the antibacterial activity of P. oleracea extract using nine bacteria (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains) which were resistant to standard antibiotics such as erythromycin, cefixime, ceftazidime, tetracycline, ampicillin and amikacin. Bacterial strains were obtained from a standard laboratory. Broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The hydroalcoholic extract of P. oleracea L. leave and seed had antibacterial effects on selected drug resistant bacterial strains. The leaves and seeds extract of P. oleracea has a remarkable antibacterial effect and it can be a good alternative when we are faced with drug resistance bacteria. However, more studies are required.