2017, Vol. 5, Issue 5, Part C

author(s)
Ayesha Siddiqha, Pushpavathi D, Tejaswini Petkar, Prashith Kekuda TR, and Vinayaka KS

abstract
Plants are considered as important resources such as food, medicine and dyes. The present study aimed at evaluating antibacterial activity of five plants viz. Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth., Clerodendrum philippinum Schauer, Ixora brachiata Roxb., Azima tetracantha Lam. and Phyllanthus reticulatus Poir. collected from different places of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, India. Extraction of powdered plant materials was done by maceration technique using methanol. Antibacterial activity of extracts was performed against three Gram positive bacteria and three Gram negative bacteria by agar well diffusion technique. All extracts were effective in causing inhibition of bacteria as revealed by the presence of zone of inhibition around wells. Overall, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Escherichia coli were inhibited to highest and least extent respectively by extracts. Extracts displayed highest activity against Gram positive bacteria. Extract of P. reticulatus was more effective against test bacteria while flower extracts of K. africana and C. philippinum were least effective. The plants can be exploited for developing formulations and therapeutic agents that can be used to treat infectious diseases.