Antimicrobial Activity of Plant Extracts (Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare) Against Multidrug-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is spreading quickly, especially in Staphylococcus aureus. I discovered that this has seriously reduced the efficacy of traditional antibiotics like erythromycin and dicloxacillin. The antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Origanum vulgare (oregano) and Thymus vulgaris (thyme) against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is assessed in this study. Bioactive substances with antimicrobial qualities, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins, were found through phytochemical screening. Oregano (20 mm) and thyme (18 mm) showed notable inhibitory zones against dicloxacillin-resistant isolates in antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using the disc diffusion method, while oxacillin (positive control) showed decreased activity (7–8 mm), demonstrating resistance. Effective antibacterial activity was shown by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) measurement for both extracts at concentrations as low as 12.5 mg/ml. Phytoconstituents like thymol and carvacrol, which damage bacterial cell membranes and obstruct vital cellular processes, are thought to be responsible for the observed antibacterial activity. These results imply that Origanum vulgare and Thymus vulgaris have strong antibacterial qualities and could be useful adjunctive or alternative treatments for resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.