Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of various seaweeds from the gulf of Thailand

Aqueous (AE) and ethanolic extracts (EE) from four species of seaweed: Sargassum binderi Sonder, Amphiroa sp., Turbinaria conoides (J. Agardh) Kuzting and Halimeda macroloba Decaisne from the east cost of the Gulf of Thailand were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. The test organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Propionibacterium acnes, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans. Extracts of all the species were found to have antimicrobial activities. AE of T. conoides, however demonstrated the maximum efficacy. Therefore, AE of T. conoides was also evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect using EPP-induced ear edema and carrageenin-induced hind paw edema tests. Results revealed anti-inflammatory activity of AE of T. conoides comparable to that phenylebutazol and acetylsalicylic acid used as standard controls.