Antimicrobial and antifungal studies on Alismae Rhizoma

Abstract

We previously reported the morphological, physiochemical characteristics of Alismae Rhizoma. In this study, we examined the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of 85% ethanol and water extracts of Alismae Rhizoma using disc method. Ethanol extracts of Korean Alismae Rhizoma showed antimicrobial activity on B. subtilis and S. aureus on the concentration dependent manner, whereas, Chinese Alismae Rhizoma revealed antimicrobial activity on E. coli and N. gonorrhoeae. The water solution (500 mg/ml) of each lyophilized powder of aqueous extracts didn't show any antimicrobial activity on B. subtilis, S. aureus and E. coli on the contrary, they stimulated cell growth slightly. Ethanol extracts of Korean samples showed antifungal activity on A. niger, but not on C. albicans. Neither A. niger nor C. albicans were affected by Chinese samples.