Antibacterial Activity of Garlic (Allium Sativum) and Honey (Apis Mellifera) On Respiratory Tract Pathogens

Abstract

The exploration of natural products as potential antimicrobial agents is particularly important in the context of the global rise in antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. The study aimed to determine the effects of garlic (Allium Sativum) and honey (Apis mellifera) on respiratory tract infection-causing bacteria. Respiratory tract isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.aeruginosa), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Streptococcus pneumoniae (S.pnuemoniae) Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) were tested for susceptibility to Garlic and Honey extracts. The extracts activity against the isolates were compared with activity of commonly prescribed antibiotics against the bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration MIC and Minimum bactericidal concentration MBC of the extracts were also determined.The extracts were effective against the tested bacteria except P.aeruginosa which was resistant to honey extract. Commercial antibiotic Amikacin was effective against the tested pathogens except against K. pneumoniae. On the other hand all the tested pathogens were resistance to Erythromycin. The MIC of Honey against all the RT pathogens was 12.5%, MIC of Garlic against P. aeruginosa, K. pnuemoniae and S. pneumoniae was 6.25%; against E.coli and S. aureus was 12.5%. MIC of mixture of Garlic-Honey against all the pathogens was 6.25%.The MBC of Garlic on P. aeruginosa, K. pnuemoniae and E.coli was 12.5%, 25% for S. aureus and 6.25% for S. pneumoniae. MBC of Honey was 25% against all pathogens except S.pneumoniae which was 12.5%. The MBC for mixture of Garlic-Honey was 6.25% for P. aeruginosa and S. pneumonia and 12.5% for E.coli, K. pnuemoniae and S. aureus. Comparison of the MIC of the extracts show that there is significant difference between the MIC of Honey and mixture of Garlic-Honey, also there is significant difference between MIC of Honey and Garlic at P ≤ 0.05 significance level. The findings demonstrated that both garlic and mixture of garlic-honey extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity against the tested pathogens. The comparison with antibiotics revealed that the natural extracts could serve as effective alternatives. The MIC and MBC results also suggest that garlic and garlic-honey mixture could be used as natural treatments for respiratory tract infection. Further studies should investigate the specific mechanisms by which garlic and honey exert their antibacterial effects.