Abstract |
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Microglossa pyrifolia, Leucas deflexa, and Indigofera spicata, traditionally used medicinal plants for treatment of diarrhea and other aliments by three ethnicities in South west Ethiopia, i.e., Bench, Meinit, and Sheko were studied for antibacterial activity against some selected species of bacteria using agar - well diffusion method. 80% methanol leaf extract of M.pyrifolia showed mean diameter of zone of inhibition of 16.5 and 18.5 mm against S.aureus and 11 and 12 mm against S.sonnei at 50 and 100 mg/ml concentration, respectively. Whereas, the 80% methanol root extract of I.spicata was active against S.aureus and P.aeruginosa with mean diameter of zone of inhibition of 11 and 14.5 mm against S.aureus and 8.5 and 10 mm against P.aeruginosa at 50 and 100 mg/ml concentration, respectively. However, 80% methanol leaf extract of L.deflexa was active only against S.aureus with mean diameter of zone of inhibition of 11 and 17.5 mm at 50 and 100 mg/ml concentration, respectively. On MIC test, the extract of M.pyrifolia had 8 mg/ml against both S.aureus and S.sonnei. The in vitro antibacterial activity may be the rationale for the traditional use of these medicinal plants to treat diseases such as diarrhea. |