Antibacterial effects of Chinese herbs and their compounds against Escherichia coli in vitro

To evaluate the antibacterial effects of 30 kinds of Chinese herbs and compounds, the minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration(MBC) of 30 kinds of Chinese herbs against Escherichia coli in vitro, such as Fructus Mume, Galla Chinensis, Fructus Corni, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, etc., were measured with test tube double dilution method. Herbal extracts with strong antibacterial effect were screened out and made up Chinese compound to determine their inhibitory effect against E.coli in vitro. The results showed that Galla Chinensis, Fructus Mume, Flos Lonicerae,Folium Isatidis, Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Mentha haplocalyx Briq, Fructus Schisandra, Herba Artemisiae Annuae and Ash Bark had significant inhibitory effects against E.coli, especially Galla Chinensis present highest inhibitory effects against E.coli(MIC=6.25 mg/mL), and Fructus Schisandra and Fructus Mume present highest bactericidal effect against E.coli(MBC=50mg/mL). Moreover, the inhibitory effects were improved mostly when the Chinese herbs were combined.