Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Effects of Aqueous Extract of Lythrum Salicaria

Introduction: The spread of drug-resistant pathogenic strains and the increase of free radicals in food sources are major health problems worldwide. The side effects of chemical drugs have led the researchers to use natural products. In this study, the antimicrobial and antioxidant effects of leaf extract of Lythrum Salicaria have been investigated. Methods: This research was a basic experimental study. The aqueous extract of Lythrum Salicaria leaf was prepared by maceration method. Antimicrobial effects of the extract were evaluated by disk diffusion method. The antioxidant properties of extract were determined by DPPH and iron reducing power methods. In addition, the amounts of phenol, flavonoid and flavonol were assayed by Folin-ciocalteu and Aluminum chloride methods, respectively. Data were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 16 software. Results: All of the studied strains were sensitive to the aqueous extract of Lythrum Salicaria leaf except E. coli. The mean zones of inhibition were due to the extracts on the tested bacteria obtained in ranging from 12.67 to 24.67 mm. Statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the mean diameters of growth inhibition zone and increased extract concentrations (P < 0.001). The total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total flavonol content values of extract were determined as 36.53 ± 1.27 mg gallic acid per gram extract, 5.2 ± 0.4 mg quercetin per gram extract and 20.8 ± 0.95 quercetin per gram extract, respectively. Conclusion: Extract of Lythrum Salicaria can be a good alternative to common antibiotics resistant. The acceptable antioxidant effects of the Lythrum Salicaria extract can be introduced it as an inhibitor of diabetes and cancer.