Purpose: To determine the anti-Streptococcus pyogenes activity of the chloroform extract of Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr. (Zingiberaceae) and investigate its possible antibacterial mechanisms of action.

Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were investigated against 47 clinical isolates of S. pyogenes. Time-kill study was performed to determine how quickly the extract acts on S. pyogenes. The ability of the extract to damage bacterial cell wall and effects on S. pyogenes virulence factors including protease enzyme and haemolysin were investigated.

Results: The extract exhibited good antibacterial activity against all of the clinical isolates of S. pyogenes with similar MIC and MBC ranging from 3.91-62.50 µg/ml. Complete killing of the bacterial cells by the extract at concentrations of 4MIC, 2MIC, and MIC occurred within 4, 8, and 12 h, respectively. Treatment of the bacterial cells with the extract at 2MIC and 4MIC caused cell lysis. All the test concentrations (1/32 - 1/2MIC) produced no effects on protease and haemolysin enzymes.

Conclusion: Boesenbergia pandurata extract has powerful in vitro activity against S. pyogenes. The ability of the extract to lyse the bacterial cells suggests that the mechanism of action may be associated with cell wall and cell membrane damage.