SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF MYRISTICA FRAGRANS AND SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM
ON STREPTOCOCCUS PYOGENES AND STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE
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NOR AQILAH BINTI NOR ZAHID
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Technology, Institute of Medical Science Technology, University Kuala Lumpur,
Kajang, Selangor
Introduction: Oral infection is a serious matter and has caused a great concern to many parts of the
world with the significant increase of cases each year. The emergence of antibiotic-resistant of
Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae strain have worsen the situation. Therefore,
new antibiotics derived from natural sources is needed as an alternative to synthetic drug to combat
oral pathogen. Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the synergistic effect of Myristica
fragrans and Syzygium aromaticum on the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus
pneumoniae. Methods: Myristica fragrans and Syzygium aromaticum were tested for antimicrobial
activity by using agar well diffusion method. Two types of extract were used in this method, which
were crude extract and ethanolic pure extract. Crude extract was prepared by mixing Myristica
fragrans powder and Syzygium aromaticum powder and dissolved in 100% dimethyl sulfoxide
(DMSO). The mixture of pure extract was prepared by mixing ethanolic pure extract of both plants at
the ratio of 1:1. 50µL of both extracts and 100% DMSO as negative control were pipetted into wells
accordingly. Amoxicillin disc was used as positive control. The diameter of inhibition zone was
measured using a Vernier calliper. Results: The results of AST showed that the combination of crude
extract and combination of ethanolic pure extract gave the average diameter of 10±0.3 mm and 24±0.7
mm respectively on the growth of Streptococcus pyogenes. While for Streptococcus pneumoniae the
diameter was unmeasurable since the inhibition zone was too large. Minimum Inhibitory
Concentration (MIC) test is used to determine the lowest concentration used to inhibit the bacterial
growth. Stock solution, 1/10 and 1/100 serial dilution of plants’ extract were prepared. All three
solution were pipetted into three wells on three different blood agar plate. The results obtained from
MIC test showed that at 1/10 dilution of stock, it gave minimum inhibition zone for both bacteria.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is the combination of Myristica fragrans and Syzygium
aromaticum extract have antimicrobial activity towards Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus
pneumoniae.