In Vivo Antimicrobial Activity of Ethanol Extract of Sumac (Rhus coriaria) on Klebsiella pneumoniae

Eight isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniaewere obtained from different human specimens, identified through cultural, morphological and biochemical examination, in addition to API20E system. Susceptibility test to six antimicrobials were performed for all isolates. The isolates were grouped to four antibiogram, according to their resistance to tested antimicrobials; all isolates were resist to Ampicillin and Amikacin, or resist to at least one more antibiotics. The Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of ethanol extract for Rhus coriaria was determined (700 &mug/mL). Sub-MIC was used as curing agents. Treating Mus Musculus mice (WBC count of 4.5×103) with Sub-MIC of R. coriaria extract, after nosily infected with more resistant isolate K. pneumoniae K4 and appearance of disease septum with 11.3×103 WBC count (after 5 days from infection). After treating the infected mice with plant extract and after 16 days from infection, the WBC count reduced to 5.1×103 &muL which is in the normal range and the mice were healthy with good physiological behavior. While the infected mice and untreated with plant extract the WBC and other immunological parameters remain high even after 16 days from infection.