EXTRACTION AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF CESTRUM NOCTURNUM

Night blooming jasmine, botanically known as "Cestrum nocturnum" is an evergreen shrub that grows in tropical and sub-tropical regions throughout the world. Cestrum nocturnum is a popular ornamental plant due to its showy and fragrant white flowers. It is also used as a hedge plant and cultivated as a medicinal plant. The medicinal properties of night blooming jasmine include antioxidant, anti-hyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, analgesic, antifungal, anti-convulsant, anti-HIV and larvicidal activities.[1] The crude methanol extract of plant of Cestrum nocturnum L. (Solanaceae) and its subsequent fractions were tested against various bacterial and antifungal strains with the exception of staphylococcus aurous, Escherichia coli. The zone of inhibition ranged from 19 to280 ?g/ml. The crude extract and fractions were also susceptible to Candida species and Asper species. The zone of inhibition for various fungi ranged from 170 to 290?g/ml.