Abstract

A total of sixteen extracts of four plants (Acacia nilotica, Annona squamosa, Azadirachta indica, and Ocimum sanctum) used in traditional formulation in India were investigated for their antibacterial property. Different concentrations (0.5 – 10 mg/ml) of extracts (by the extraction in different organic solvents and water) of plant parts were tested for growth inhibitory activity against infection caused byStaphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli. The aqueous extract of A. indica (MIC; 0.07 and 0.5 mg/ml) against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa; methanolic extracts of A. nilotica, A. indica, and A. squamosa againstS. aureus, P. aeruginosa and E. coli (MIC; < 0.5 mg/ml); chloroform extracts of A. indica (MIC; 0.5 and 0.3 mg/ml) against S. aureus and E. coli; and petroleum ether extracts of A. indica and O. sanctum (MIC; 0.5 - 0.79 mg/ml) against P. aeruginosaand E. coli were found more efficacious. The results revealed that all investigated plants exhibited antibacterial activity against at least one of the screened pathogens. The study also supports the use of above mentioned plants in wound healing formulations.

Key words: Wound, plants extract antibacterial, traditional medicine.