Introduction: March medicinal plant with the scientific name of Peganum harmala L., is considered as herbaceous species which is traditionally used as an antimicrobial drug in the treatment of infectious diseases. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effect of Peganum harmala smoke and hydrogen peroxide solution on the microbial load in the hospital wards.
Methods: This study was a trial study done in indifferent parts of a teaching hospital. Two trolleies were collected from each ward of the hospital, then a primary culture samples were taken. The sample were divided into two halves. One was disinfeted with smoke harmala (10gr/m³) and the other with Hydrogen peroxide. After the appropriate time, the re-sampling was carried out on blood agar and Mac Cancan. The results were analyzed using the software SPSS16.
Results: The results showed that hydrogen peroxide had some antimicrobial effects on staphylococs and gram-positive, and Peganum harmala smoke had the effects on the gram-negative bacilli. Chi-square test revealed no differences in their antimicrobial effects between Peganum harmala smoke and Hydrogen peroxide solution.
Conclusions: Since Peganum harmala smoke can be as effective disinfectant as hydrogen peroxide in their properties, and regarding its effects on the Gram-negative bacilli, it can be used as an auxiliary disinfectant in the theraputic wards.