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Rashmi et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research


EFFECT OF ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITIES OF
SESAMUM INDICUM

Amita S Rao
1
, Rashmi.Kaup.S*
2
, Nayanatara AK
2
, Kismat Anand
1
,
Dharnappa Poojary
3
, Sheila R Pai
2


1
Dept. of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology KMC IC, Manipal University, Manipal
2
Departments of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College, Bejai, Mangalore, Manipal
University, Karnataka, India
3
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery, Manipal College of Dental Surgery,
Mangalore, Manipal University, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT
Rising prevalence of antibiotics-resistant strains of pathogenic
microorganisms has been increased in the modern era. Recently, the
search for substances with antimicrobial properties has gained a lot of
importance, especially due to the increasing risk of infection in the
ever-changing environment. The present study was aimed to
determine the antimicrobial activity of sesamol against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity was
determined using the agar well diffusion method. The diameter of the
clear zone of inhibition surrounding the well was measured. The
aqueous extract of Sesamol had antimicrobial activity against Bacteria
and fungus. It can be concluded that Sesamol may be considered as an
antibacterial and antifungal agent and can be used as a source of
antibiotic substance for possible treatment of bacterial and fungal
infections.
Key words: Sesamol, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus,
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans.


Wor l d J our nal of Phar mac eut ic al r esear ch
Volume 2, Issue 5, 1676-1680. Research Article ISSN 2277 7105
Article Received on
17 June 2013,

Revised on 22 July 2013,
Accepted on 23 August 2013
*Correspondence for
Author:

Mrs . Rashmi KS
Lecturer in Physiology,
Department of Physiology,
Center of Basic Sciences,
Kasturba Medical College
(Manipal University), Bejai,
Mangalore, Karnataka, India.
rksphysio@gmail.com
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Rashmi et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

INTRODUCTION
The increase in prevalence of multiple drug resistance has slowed down the development of
new synthetic antimicrobial drugs, and has necessitated the search for new antimicrobials
from alternative sources
1
.In the modern era, antibiotics are one of our most important
weapons in fighting bacterial infections and have greatly benefited the health related quality
of human life. However, over the past few decades these health benefits are under threat as
many commonly used antibiotics have become less and less effective against certain illnesses
not only because many of them produce toxic reactions but also due to emergence of drug
resistant bacteria. It is essential to investigate newer drugs with lesser resistance. Screening
the active compounds from plants has lead to the discovery of new medicinal drugs which
have efficient protection and treatment roles against various diseases.

Sesamol (3,4-methylenedioxyphenol) is a major constituent of Sesamum indicum seeds,
which makes the seed oil more resistant to oxidative deterioration than other vegetable oils.
2
Sesamum indicum is a flowering plant of the genus Sesamum of the Pedaliaceae family. The
precise natural origin of the species is unknown, although numerous wild relatives occur in
Africa and a smaller number in India. It is widely naturalized in tropical regions around the
world and is cultivated for its edible seeds. Several beneficial effects of sesamol were
reported including antioxidation, chemoprevention, antimutagenic, and antihepatotoxic
properties
3,4,5
. Traditionally, sesame seed oil was used to remove wrinkles and prevent aging,
when applied in a facial massage to the skin
6
. Recently, sesamol was found to induce growth
arrest and apoptosis in cancer and cardiovascular cells
7
. Sesamol was also found to enhance
vascular fibrinolytic capacity through regulating gene expression of a plasminogen activator
and nitric oxide (NO) release in endothelial cells
8, 9.
The aim of the present study was to
evaluate the antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli,
Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Candida albicans in the aqueous
solution of Sesamol using the agar well diffusion method.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Materials; Sesamol was purchased from sigma-Aldrich, Bangalore.

Antimicrobial activity determination
8, 9, and 10
: The antimicrobial activity was determined
using the agar well diffusion method. Overnight cultures were grown at 37C in Muller-
Hinton Broth (MHB) and diluted to contain 10
5
cfu/ml. Petri dishes containing 20 ml of
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Rashmi et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Muller-Hinton Agar (MHA) (Hi Media), were used. The bacterial culture was spread over the
surface of the MHA plate. A total of 4 mm diameter wells were punched into the agar and
filled with 20l of the aqueous solution of Sesamol of various concentrations (400 mg/ml,
200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml). The plates were then incubated at 37C for 18 hrs.
Tests were done in triplicates and the average was taken.

Determination of antifungal activity: The agar well diffusion method
11
was modified.
Sabourauds dextrose agar (SDA) was used for fungal cultures. Overnight cultures were
grown at 37C in Sabourauds dextrose Broth (SDB) and diluted to contain 10
5
cfu/ml. Petri
dishes containing 20 ml of Sabourauds dextrose agar (SDA) (Hi Media), were used. The
fungal culture was spread over the surface of the SDA plate. A total of 4 mm diameter wells
were punched into the agar and filled with 20l of the aqueous solution of Sesamol of various
concentrations (400 mg/ml, 200 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml and 50 mg/ml). The plates were then
incubated at 37C for 24 hrs. Tests were done in triplicates and the average was taken.

RESULTS
The diameter of the clear zone of inhibition surrounding the well was measured as shown in
table 1. It was observed that the aqueous extract of Sesamol had antimicrobial activity
against all the test organisms.

Table1: ZONES OF INHIBITION OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF SESAMOL
AGAINST VARIOUS ORGANISMS




Organism Zone of inhibition (mm)
Extract
400mg/ml
Extract
200 mg/ml
Extract
100 mg/ml
Extract
50 mg/ml
Extract
20 mg/ml
Extract
10 mg/ml
Staph. aureus 33 23 15 8 - --
E. coli 24 16 13 10 - -
Klebsiella 24 14 10 8 6 -
Pseudomonas 36 22 14 8 - -
Candida 38 23 15 - - -
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Rashmi et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
DISCUSSION
Plants have provided a source of inspiration for novel drug compounds asplants derived
medicines have made significant contribution towards human health .Phytomedicine can be
used for the treatment of diseases as is done in case of Unani and Ayurvedicsystem of
medicines or it can be the base for the development of a medicine, a natural blueprint for the
development of a drug. The demonstration of activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-
positive bacteria is an indication that the plant can be a source of bioactive substances that
could be of broad spectrum of activity. The fact that the plant was active against both clinical
and laboratory isolates is also an indication that it can be a source of very potent antibiotic
substances that can be used against drug resistant microorganisms prevalent in hospital
environments. In the present study the aqueous extract proved to be a potent antibacterial
agent and antifungal agent.

CONCLUSION
The results of the present study suggest that sesamol is found to be effective antibiotic
substance that can be used against drug resistant microorganisms.The present study proves
the way for further attention and research to identify the active compounds responsible for the
plant biological activity. Further studies should be undertaken to elucidate the exact
mechanism of action and identifying the active ingredients which can be used in drug
development program for safe health care services.

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