Antimicrobial Potential of Camellia sinensis against Skin Associated Microbial Pathogens

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to assess the antimicrobial potential of leaves’ extract of Green tea (Camellia sinensis) against skin associated microorganisms. The antimicrobial activity was studied through agar well diffusion method against Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungus included Propionibacterium acne, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans in five different solvents viz. Methanol, Ethanol, Distilled water, Chloroform and Petroleum ether. The methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis showed maximum zone of inhibition against Propionibacterium acne (27 mm) and S. aureus (26 mm); ethanolic extract was most effective against Candida albicans (22 mm) and petroleum ether extract was most effective against S. aureus (20 mm). The antimicrobial analyses showed that the extracts were more effective against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria and fungus. Comparative study of antimicrobial activity of Camellia sinensis extracts with antibiotics revealed that Camellia sinensis methanolic extract had maximum effective antimicrobial activity against all the tested microorganisms. MIC (Minimum Inhibitory Concentration) and MBC (Minimum Bactericidal Concentration) of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis against the microbial agents under study ranged between 0.125 to 0.015625 mg/ml. The synergistic interaction of Camellia sinensis with antibiotics revealed much better results as compared to antibiotics susceptibility pattern alone. Phytochemicals analyses of Camellia sinensis included alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, proteins, phenols, tannins and phytosterols. The compounds identified by GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis were reported to be used as water treatment, antifungals, antimicrobials and enzymatic inhibitors, improve mental alertness, antifungal, anti-HIV, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and comonomer (e.g. for lubricating oil additives). Therefore, it may be concluded that Camellia sinensis leaves possess antibacterial and antifungal properties, which may be used as alternate drug of choice due to its lower side-effects to human skin as compared to presently used therapeutic agents.