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ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTION AND CLINICAL INVESTIGATIONlooking for new leads to developbetter drugs against cancer, as wellas viral and microbial infections.There are more than 35,000 plantspecies being used in varioushuman cultures around the world,for medicinal purpose. Althoughthousands of plant species havebeen tested for antimicrobialproperties, the vast majority have notbeen adequately evaluated [4].The antimicrobial activities of plantoils and extracts have formedthe basis of many applications,including raw and processed foodpreservation, pharmaceuticals,alternative medicine and naturaltherapies. Moreover, the increasinguse of plant extracts in the food,cosmetic and pharmaceuticalindustries suggests that in order tofind active compounds, a systematicstudy of medicinal plants is veryimportant [5 and 6].Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalisL.) is a spice and medicinal herbwidely used around the world.Rosemary essential oil is also usedas an antibacterial, and antifungal,The main compounds responsiblefor the antimicrobial activity are a-pinene, bornyl acetate, camphor and1,8-cineole [7]. It is reported thatrosemary plants are rich sourcesof phenolic compounds with highantimicrobial activity against bothGram-positive and Gram-negativebacteria. A high percent of theantimicrobial activity is attributed tocarnosic acid and carnosol [8].Mint (M. spicata) has formed fromcross breeding of M. longifolia andM. rotundifolia. The leaves, herbsand essential oil of M. spicatawere used much earlier than thoseof peppermint. The essential oilsextracted from M. spicata, containingmainly carvone (50-70%) andmenthone, which have shown stronginsecticidal and mutagenic activity[9].Cumin has a broad antibioticspectrum against both grampositiveand gram negative bacteria.In particular the sensitivity ofHelicobacter pylori, Pseudomonasand others has been shown to cuminessential oil previously. Also in somereports it has been shown that theessential oil of cumin is equally ormore effective [10].Parsley is an annual herb indigenousto the Mediterranean region, butis now cultivated worldwide. Ithas erect stems and bright greenleaves. The oil contains twocomponents, apiol and myristicin,which are pharmacologically active.The plant also contains severalantimicrobial furocoumarins:psoralen, 8-methoxypsoralen, 5-methoxypsoralen, oxypeucedanin,and isopimpinellin. Parsley extractshave shown slight antibacterial andantifungal activity when tested in vitro[11].Pomegranate belongs to thepunicaceae family. It is one of theimportant horticulture fruits in theMediterranean climate. The ediblepart of the fruit contains considerablesaccharides, polyphenol andimportant minerals [12].Radish seeds were found tocontain alkaloid like coumarins,saponins, flavonoids andanthocyanins. Besides, radishseeds contain misothiocyanatethat has antimicrobial activity,antimutagenic, anticarcinogenic andantiatherosclerosis activity [13].A pumpkin used in medicalapplications, is an annual plant withyellow flowers. It has a climbingstem up to 12 m long and a fruitwith a round shape and fibrous flesh[14]. C. pepo has been known forits quality as an anti-helminthes.However, information on theantibacterial qualities of the seedsof these plants is unavailable andjustifies the need for this research[15].Henna (Lawsonia inermis Linn) is aplant which grows wild in abandonedareas. This plant is a worldwideknown cosmetic agent used to stainhair, skin and nails. However, it is notonly relevant to cosmetics. Alcoholicextracts of henna leaves showedmild antibacterial activity againstMicrococcus pyrogenes var aureusand Escherichia coli [16].Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum) found in nature and iscultivated in India and Pakistan, isa well known medicinal plant havingproperties of reducing blood sugarlevel, anthelmentic, antibacterial,anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, andantimicrobial. The important chemicalconstituents are saponins, coumarin,fenugreekine, nicotinic acid, phyticacid, scopoletin and trigonelline [17].Sesame belongs to the family-Pedaliaceae (Sesa-mum indicum L.)and is a very old cultivated crop andthought to have originated in Africa;sesame oil has antimicrobial activityagainst gram positive and gramnegative organisms [18 & 19].The black cumin seeds containthymoquinine that has antibacterial,diuretic, hypotensive and immunopotentiatingactivities via increasingneutrophil percentage and henceincreasing the defense mechanism ofthe body against infection [20].Eruca sativa Miller (Brassicaceae,synonym Eruca vesicaria Rocket),commonly known as “Tarmira”,“Rocket salad” or “Garden salad” isa diploid annual herbaceous plantgrowing up to 80cm. It showed thehighest antibacterial activity [21].Brassica nigra is a member of theBrassicaceae family. The seeds areglobular, black and about 1mm indiameter. It has a pungent taste andrich nutty odour. In addition to itsimportance as a food flavoring agent,the seeds of B. nigra also haveimportant medicinal uses [15].Almond (Prunus amygdalus) is amember of the Rosaceae familyand yields fruit of great commercialvalue. Phenolic compounds may beregarded as one factor contributingto quality of fruits and juice becauseof high antioxidative effects [22].This study aims to screen theantibacterial activity of plant extractsagainst bacteria and compare theeffect of commercial essential oilswith the plant extracts on bacteria.MIDDLE MIDDLE EAST EAST JOURNAL JOURNAL OF OF FAMILY FAMILY MEDICINE VOLUME • VOLUME 910 ISSUE 7, ISSUE 9 7 10 13