Yamada T, Wajima T, Nakaminami H, Kobayashi K, Ikoshi H, Noguchi N. The modified Gingyo-san, a Chinese herbal medicine, has direct antibacterial effects against respiratory pathogens.
BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016;
16:463. [PMID:
27842538 PMCID:
PMC5109643 DOI:
10.1186/s12906-016-1431-3]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 10/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Modified Gingyo-san (MGS) is empirically used to treat various respiratory infections. MGS has been reported to have antiinflammatory and antiviral activities; however, it is not known if it has an antibacterial activity. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of MGS against respiratory pathogens.
METHODS
MGS, which is sold as an over-the-counter drug in Japan, was used for the study. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Growth inhibitory activity was evaluated by measuring colony-forming units of the pathogens in the presence of MGS.
RESULTS
MGS inhibited the growth of Bacillus subtilis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes, which are gram-positive bacteria. Although the growth of most gram-negative bacteria was not inhibited by MGS, interestingly, the growth of Haemophilus influenzae was inhibited. MGS did not show any activity against Candida albicans or bacteriophage φX174.
CONCLUSIONS
In addition to the antiinflammatory and antiviral activities of MGS, which have already been reported, the data obtained from this study indicates that MGS has an antibacterial activity.
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