Abstract

Introduction:

Plants of the family Apiaceae are widely used in Iranian’s folk medicine, but no medicinal use of Semenovia tragioides, which is a rare plant, has been reported. Methods and Results:

The essential oil from aerial parts of Semenovia tragioides (Boiss.) Manden. (Umbelliferae) consisting mainly p-cymene (18.5 %) Z- b- ocimene (7.7%), cinnamyl isovalerate (7.4%), and g–terpinene (5.5%) was screened for antibacterial activity against six bacterial strains.

Conclusion:

The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of all tested bacteria (two Gram-positive and four Gram-negative). The maximum activity was against Staphylococcus aureus.