Evaluation of Wormwood Extracts as Natural Antimicrobial Alternatives against UTI Pathogens

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infections are becoming harder to treat due to rising antibiotic resistance, increasing interest in medicinal plants such as wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), which contains bioactive compounds with strong antimicrobial properties. Aim: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of aqueous and ethanolic wormwood extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and Methods: Wormwood extracts were prepared using the maceration method, and antibacterial activity was assessed using the agar well diffusion technique on VITEK-confirmed bacterial isolates standardized to 0.5 McFarland. Results: The aqueous extract showed the strongest antibacterial activity, producing inhibition zones of 28 mm for S. aureus and 38 mm for S. agalactiae, while ethanolic extracts displayed moderate effects, especially against E. faecalis. Discussion: Findings indicate that wormwood—particularly in aqueous form—contains potent antimicrobial compounds capable of inhibiting UTI-causing bacteria, demonstrating potential as a natural alternative to traditional antibiotics. Conclusion: Wormwood extracts exhibit significant antibacterial activity, with aqueous extracts showing superior effectiveness, supporting their potential use as natural antimicrobial agents. Recommendations: Further research should isolate active compounds, test additional extraction methods, evaluate activity against more pathogens, and develop wormwood-based pharmaceutical formulations supported by in vivo studies.