Abstract |
: |
The success of chemotherapy lies in the continuous search for new drugs to counter the challenge posed by resistant strains. Methanol extracts of six plant species traditionally used in Indian folklore medicine for the treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections were investigated for in vitro antimicrobial activity against pathogens namely Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by disc diffusion method. Methanol extracts of Eugenia jambolana and Cassia auriculata showed the highest toxicity against all the bacteria. The plant extracts showed antibacterial activity but not antifungal activity against any of the fungi used. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay were determined for these two extracts against bacteria. E. jambolana revealed the highest antimicrobial activity at a minimum concentration (0.75 mg/ml) against S. aureus. The phytochemical analysis carried out revealed the presence of coumarins, flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, tannins, saponins and steroids. Alkaloids were not detected from any of the plant extracts under study. The results provide justification for the use of the plants in folk medicine to treat various infectious diseases. |