Abstract

Medicinal plants have been a basic source of antibiotics against a variety of diseases over the years. This study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of the ethanolic extracts of Tinospora cordifolia Miers. and Phyllanthus niruri L. Both P. niruri and Abrus precatorious L. have more against the pathogenic Escherichia coli and fungi Aspergillus niger and Epidermophyton floccosum by the filter paper disc method. Among the three plant extracts tested, T. cordifolia leaf extract showed maximum zone of inhibition of 24.0 mm against the bacteria E. coli at the concentration of 100 mg/ml. Extract ofP. niruri exhibited similar inhibition zone against the bacterium, that is, 22.0 mm. A. precatorius leaf extract showed no inhibition. Increase in the concentration of plant extract increased the zone of inhibition. The root extract of A. precatorius showed significant inhibition against the fungi in comparison with other plant extracts. This study validates the use of tested medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases.

Key words: Antibacterial and antifungal activities, ethanolic extraction, inhibition zone,Tinospora cordifolia, Phyllanthus niruri, Abrus precatorius.