Date of Award
4-15-2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MSMLS)
Department
Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences
Abstract
Abstract
With the increase in resistance to traditional antibiotics displayed by microbial agents, efforts have been devoted to the explorations of naturally derived antimicrobial compounds.
One such compound is thymoquinone (TQ), derived from Nigella Sativa (black seeds). This compound has been known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Ahmad et al., 2013); however, other healing properties may also be attributed to this compound. Nigella Sativa (NS), an herb, is a member of the Ranunculaceae family. Nigella Sativa has been used to treat different diseases since the ancient era. Extracts from the seeds have been used to treat bacterial infections such as those caused by Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori, as well as a variety of other diseases such as neuromuscular, cardiovascular, gastroenteritis, and liver-related ailments (Khan et al., 2011).
This study investigated the antibacterial activity of TQ. A stock solution was prepared using DMSO mixed with various concentrations of TQ. A disk diffusion technique was used with different types of bacteria including Methicillin -Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), S. aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Susceptibility to TQ was identified for E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and MRSA. Further research is needed to determine minimal inhibitory concentrations for TQ.
Recommended Citation
Almatrafi, Alya A., "Antimicrobial Activity of Thymoquinone" (2015). MSMLS Capstone Projects. 4.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/msmls/4