Abstract

Methanol and aqueous extracts of Delonix elata (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. (Fabaceae) and Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities against nine bacterial species: Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris and Shigella flexneri and two fungal species: Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The susceptibility of the microorganism to the extracts of these plants was compared with each other and with selected antibiotics. All these plants were effective against three or more of the pathogenic microorganisms. This in vitro study corroborated the antimicrobial activity of the selected plants used in folklore medicine.

Key words: Medicinal plants, infectious diseases, solvents, disc diffusion methods, microbial pathogens.