Evaluation of the antimicrobial activities of Cymbopogon schoenanthus

Medicinal plants have been widely used in folk medicine. They are considered today as an interesting source of new drug due to their bioactive components. The genus, Cymbopogon (Poaceae) seems to be the most promising source of several bioactive compound. This study aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial activities of Cymbopogon schoenanthus on several pathogenic bacteria, fungi and virus. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated using the agar well diffusion methods. The MIC was determined by micro-broth dilution methods. The cytotoxicity of C. schoenanthus extracts was evaluated using MTT assay. The results showed that methanol extract of C. schoenanthus exhibit an antibacterial effect on several Gram-positive and negative bacteria. All extracts tested (aqueous extract, methanol extract and ethyl acetate extract) were found to have an antiviral effect on HSV1; whereas, no antifungal effect was detected on both Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger.