Antimicrobial Effect of Cyperus rotundus on Multiple Drug Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Background: Medicinal use of plants dates long back in the history of the human beings and has recently gained a great deal of importance in treating different diseases. Due to the importance of Pseudomonas aeroginosa strains as agents responsible for common secondary infections and their resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants, the present study aimed at investigating the antimicrobial effects of the plant Cyperus rotundus on multiple drug resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strains. Methods: Ethanolic extracts of Cyperus rotundus tuber were prepared by maceration. The antimicrobial effect of these extracts on P. aeruginosa isolates (ie., sensitive to antibiotics and multiple drug resistant strains), isolated from clinical and soil samples, was determined by both disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods.. Results: It was revealed that ethanolic extract concentrations of Cyperus rotundus tuber higher than 0.1 mg/ml suppresses the growth of all antibiotic sensitive and resistant P. aeruginosa strains which were used in this study. Conclusion: It is concluded that Cyperus rotundus possesses antimicrobial properties and thus can be used in treating multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa-induced wounds and infections.