Hamid Chegini - Department of Immunology, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Mozhgan Oshaghi - Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Paramedical, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Amin Boshagh - Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
Poorya Foroutan

Introduction: Sinusitis is a serious health hazard that is caused by inflammation of the surrounding sinus. Bacterial infection due to Streptococcus pneumonia microorganisms, Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis and Staphylococcus aureus is one of the factors causing sinusitis and bronchitis. Medicago sativa is known as a precious medicinal plant. The purpose of this study is to investigate the antibacterial effect of Medicago sativa extract on common bacteria in sinusitis and bronchitis. Methods: In this experimental study, after root extraction of the plant by maceration method, first the quantitative Minimum Inhibitory growth Concentration (MIC) test was carried out and then disc diffusion quality test was performed with the observance of standard strains for Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Staphylococcus aureus. Result: The results showed that MIC of Medicago sativa root extract against Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis was 125 mg/ml. Furthermore, the extract did not affect Staphylococcus aureus, and in all of the tubes turbidity and growth were observed. In the disc diffusion method, the diameter of the inhibition zone was 16 mm for Moraxella catarrhalis, 13 mm for Streptococcus pneumoniae and 10 mm for Haemophilus influenza, and for Staphylococcus aureus, no inhibition zone was found around the disk containing the extract. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the inhibitory effect of Medicago sativa root extract on Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis. By extracting the important compounds of this plant, we can hope to make a suitable drug for the treatment of sinusitis.

Medicinal plants; Medicago sativa; Antibacterial effect; Sinusitis