Abstract

In vitro antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants used by tribes in Warangal district (Andhra Pradesh), India

L Venkanna, M Estari

India has rich heritage of using medicinal plants in traditional medicines such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani besides folklore practices. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different plant extracts. The antimicrobial activities of some plant species (Phyllanthus emblica, Tinospora cordifolia, Eclipta alba, and Cassia occidentalis) extracts were evaluated against four bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) by the disc diffusion method. Phyllanthus emblica and T. cordifolia had better activity against all the tested organisms compared to other plant extract fractions. Aqueous fraction of C. occidentalis and P. emblica showed high activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus bacteria. n-Hexane fraction of T. cordifolia showed high activity against E. coli (162 ml/g), P. aeruginosa (162 ml/g), and S. aureus (162 ml/g) bacteria.