Comparative antimicrobial activity of pogostemon cablin (patchouli) essential oil (PEO) and conventional antimicrobials against clinically important microbes

Abstract

Pogostemon cablin (patchouli), an important herb with multiple uses, has antimicrobial activity in its infusions, extracts and oil. Patchouli essential oil (PEO), an important perfumery ingredient has till date been tested for its potential antimicrobial activity on a limited number of strains. Inquest to determine the antimicrobial spectrum and real potential of PEO as an antimicrobial using data on 4598 bacteria and 67 fungi of 74 genera isolated from clinical infections and associated environment, this analytical study was conducted. Almost 3/4^th of isolates tested were resistant PEO. The PEO had poor antimicrobial activity against most the common groups of pathogenic bacteria. However, PEO was active against most of the Aggregatibacter, Acinetobacter, Actinomyces, Moraxella, Dermatophilus and Staphylococcus species strains often associated with topical infections. Antimicrobial activity of PEO was significantly (p, <0.01) better against oxidase and Gram-positive (O+G+) bacteria than against O-G- bacteria. The MIC of PEO varied greatly from one part million (ppm) to more than 10000 ppm for members of the different species of bacteria. The study indicated that the potential of PEO can be explored further for developing an alternative antimicrobial therapy against topical infections.