In Vitro Anti-bacterial Effect of Ox-bile Against Some Important Gram-positive and Gram-negative Bacteria

Abstract

Background: Ox-bile has been recommended as a natural remedy with several therapeutic potentials in traditional Persian medicine (TPM). It has had efficacy against inflammation and infection according to traditional medicine. Evidence revealed that bile disrupts bacterial cell membrane and degrades DNA structure, so it has anti-bacterial effects. However, there is no evidence of any approved medication composed of ox-bile in Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-bacterial effects of ox-bile. Methods: Ox-bile was obtained under aseptic conditions and sterilized with a 0.22 µm syringe filter, then examined for their sterility status through culture on different media. Following incubation under aerobic cultures for 48 hours and the anaerobic cultures for one week. Two different kinds of antimicrobial susceptibility tests, including well-diffusion method and serial dilution test were employed to characterize the inhibitory effect of ox-bile extraction on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Propionibacterium acnes. Results: Based on our study, no anti-bacterial effect of ox-bile was observed against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Conclusions: No in-vitro evidence of inhibitory effect was observed against studied gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Though further evaluation of the anti-bacterial effects of different preparations of ox-bile seems is still required.