Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF METHANOL EXTRACTS OF PISONIA ACULEATA L. AGAINST SOME SELECTED HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Priya S. and Subhashini A.*

Abstract

Pisonia aculeata (Nyctaginaceace) holds an important place in folklore medicine. The leaves and barks are used by the tribes and native medical practitioners to treat various ailments including liver disorders, swelling and tumour. The present study was carried out to investigate the antibacterial activity of methanolic leaf extracts of Pisonia aculeata using different concentrations. The zone of inhibition was measured by disc diffusion method for determining the antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, B. Cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The pathogenic activity were more effective in 30 mg/ml. The results showed maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus Cereus (20mm) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (19mm), Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18mm), Escherichia coli (17mm). The use of plant extracts with known antimicrobial properties can be of great significance in therapeutic treatment.

Keywords: Pisonia aculeata, disc diffusion, antimicrobial.