Abstract

DE SOUZA PRESTES, Luciana et al. Extracts from oregano and thyme against external otitis-associated microorganisms. Rev Cubana Plant Med [online]. 2008, vol.13, n.4. ISSN 1028-4796.

INTRODUCTION: the use of plants for medicinal purposes to treat diseases has been seen throughout the history of mankind. The most common diagnosed disease in dogs is external otitis, and therefore, the clinical importance of this illness is great. OBJETIVE: to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of 3 types of extracts from Origanum vulgare L. (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris L. (thyme) in the form of an oil, a tincture and a decoction against otitis-associated microorganisms. METHODS: the evaluation of these extracts was performed through microditulion in broth against Malassezia pachydermatis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 10145) y Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 12600) isolates. The oil components were compared by chromatography technique. RESULTS: the oils presented with a lower minimum inhibitory concentration against microorganisms, but the best performance extracts were tinctures. CONCLUSIONS: these two types of extracts may be an alternative for the treatment of external otitis in dogs.

Keywords : Origanum vulgare L.; Thymus vulgaris; essential oil; tincture; external otitis.