Antibacterial activity of Artemisia absinthium and Artemisia dracunculus ethanolic extracts against phenotypically diverse clinical Serratia marcescens
Department of Biology, College of Sciences, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq.
Research Article
Open Access Research Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies, 2026, 11(02), 079-089.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjms.2026.11.2.0031
Publication history:
Received on 05 March 2026; revised on 07 April 2026; accepted on 10 April 2026
Abstract:
Background: There is emerging resistance to multiple drugs in Serratia species, and alternative antimicrobial agents need to be explored. The antibacterial activity of Artemisia species has been suggested, and their bioactive properties are thought to be due to their phytochemical profile. The aim of the present work was to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of the ethanolic extract obtained from Artemisia dracunculus and Artemisia absinthium against clinical isolated Serratia and their possible use as alternative therapeutic methods.
The methods that have been adapted for making ethanolic extract of A. dracunculus and A. absinthium are specified in whole. Three Serratia marcescens strains from clinical blood, respiratory and urine were tested using the agar well diffusion method as per Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Extract concentrations of 100, 50, 25, 12.5, and 6.25 mg/mL were tested. I zones were measured and compared statistically by One way ANOVA and multiple comparison tests.
Results: A. dracunculus showed important variable antimicrobial activity and inhibition zones from 13 to 16 mm were produced by these isolates with different susceptibility patterns at 100 mg/mL. On the other hand, A. absinthium showed uniform inhibitory effect with all isolates with 13 mm (range 11-14 mm) at 100 mg/mL and 10 mm (range 10-11 mm) at 50 mg/mL. Statistically significant difference among treatments (p<0.05) was revealed indicating concentration dependent responses. Notably, both extracts needed much higher concentrations than traditional antibiotics, chloramphenicol having similar activity at 30μg/ml compared with the 100mg/ml achieved with the plant extracts.
Conclusions: A. absinthium exhibited greater regularity of effects for the inhibition of Serratia spp. clinical isolates, both species having significant in vitro antibacterial activity. The high levels of these activities, however, pose doubts about feasibility for clinical development, and detailed safety tests and the appreciation of bioactivity should be performed before moving towards therapeutic development.
Keywords:
Artemisia dracunculus; Artemisia absinthium; Serratia marcescens; Antimicrobial Resistance; Plant Extracts; Agar Well Diffusion.
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