Naturopathy With coriander against bacteria

Coriander oil reduces bacterial growth and could become a new remedy for resistant germs

30/08/2011

Coriander oil has an antibacterial effect as a herbal active ingredient and could make a significant contribution to combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens in the future, according to Portuguese researchers in the current issue of the journal „Journal of Medical Microbiology”.

The natural ingredients of coriander generally inhibit the growth of bacteria and also have an antibacterial effect on particularly dangerous multidrug-resistant pathogens, such as the so-called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) of the genus Staphylococci, explain Fernanda Domingues of the University of Beira Interior and colleagues. In addition, the coriander oil protect because of its antibacterial effect against food poisoning, the Portuguese scientists continue.

Coriander oil as a natural active ingredient against bacteria
In their study Fernanda Domingues researchers investigated the effects of coriander oil on twelve different bacterial strains, including the relatively common gut germs of Escherichia coli and the particularly dangerous multidrug-resistant hospital germs MRSA. Among other things, the scientists determined in which concentration the vegetable oil causes a reduction of bacterial growth and in what concentration the coriander oil causes a death of the bacteria. The scientists also investigated the effect of coriander oil on the basic functions of bacteria (for example, cell respiration). The scientists compared the results of the individual research steps with the results of a control group in order to be able to precisely classify the effect of the coriander oil. The Fernanda Domingues and colleagues found that coriander oil in all examined bacterial cultures causes a significant inhibition of growth and this already at a concentration of 1.6 percent. According to the experts, however, it was even more astonishing that the oil was lethal even in low concentrations in ten of the twelve bacterial strains tested - even in the antibiotic-resistant MRSA pathogens.

Coriander in natural medicine
Even before the current study, earlier studies had revealed signs of antibacterial action of coriander oil, according to Fernanda Domingues and colleagues. Initially, the so-called linalool contained in the spice was considered to be efficient against microorganisms, but as confirmed by the current study by the Portuguese researchers, the antimicrobial effect of coriander oil apparently goes back to a complex interaction of the ingredients contained therein (ingredients). The coriander's essential oil includes linalool, geraniol, α- and β-Pinene, limonene, geranyl acetate, α- and γ-Contain terpinene and borneol, the interaction of which causes a reduction or death of bacterial cultures. In natural medicine, coriander was already used in antiquity by the Egyptians in the treatment of various diseases. Already the Egyptians used the essential oils for appetite stimulation, promotion of the digestion, treatment of convulsions as well as the supply of patients with gastrointestinal trouble and abdominal pain. In particular, the positive effect on bacterially-related gastrointestinal problems has also made use of conventional medicine and developed appropriate drugs based on the substances of coriander oil.

Antibacterial effect of coriander oil even in multidrug-resistant bacteria
Now, the Portuguese researchers have revealed another possible application of coriander oil in their current study. In the future, medicine could use the antibacterial effect of vegetable oil to combat any form of bacterial infection and to develop an effective drug against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The effects of coriander oil on the important cell functions of bacteria, open up completely new perspectives in the fight against the more widespread multidrug-resistant pathogens, the researchers report to Fernanda Domingues. Your „Results indicate that coriander oil destroys the membrane surrounding the bacterial cell. This destroys the barrier between the cell and its environment and inhibits essential processes such as breathing“, What „ultimately the death of the bacterial cell” leads the scientists of the University of Beira Interior. (Fp)

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Picture: Gerd Altmann