Abstract

Antibacterial activity of seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae) was evaluated against some pathogenic bacterial strains. Chloroform extract of seeds exhibited varying level of antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 2.0 - 5.0 mg/ml, against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The chloroform extract was found to be more active than the other extracts against all the test bacteria. MIC values were 2.0 and 3.0 mg/ml, respectively, for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and their respective drug-resistant strains. The sensitivity of the test bacteria varied with the species and strains. The study provides basis for the isolation and purification of antibacterial compound(s) from the seeds of A. mexicana L.

Key words: Argemone mexicana, antibacterial activity, disk diffusion method, drug resistant.