Trachiyspirum ammi (L.) Sprague ex Turrill Seed Extracts Lack Antibacterial Activity

Introduction: Trachyspermum ammi leaves and seeds have been used as dietary supplements and to treat multiple pathogenic diseases in several traditional healing systems. Despite this, their therapeutic properties have been poorly studied. Methods: Chloroform, ethyl acetate, hexane, methanol and water extracts of T. ammi were prepared and tested and the activity was compared to that of standard antibiotics for their in vitro antibacterial activity against ten human bacterial pathogens. The antibacterial activity was studied by standard disc diffusion assays and the activity was recorded as zones of inhibition. Results: All T. ammi seed extracts were ineffective at inhibiting the growth of all of the gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria pathogens screened against. Conclusion: Despite their use in traditional healing systems to treat some pathogenic diseases, T. ammi seed extracts were completely ineffective bacterial growth inhibitors. However, these extracts were screened against a limited panel of bacteria and further testing against other pathogens is required.