COMPARATIVE IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF PLUMBAGO ZEYLENICA

Ethanolic extract of leaf, flower and root of Plumbago zeylenica L. (white variety) traditionally used in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders were screened for antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens Staphyllococcus aureus, Escerchia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter aurugens, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi which are known to cause different type of gastrointestinal disorders. The results showed that leaf and root extracts exhibited strong antibacterial action at concentration of 2-8 mg/ mL of the bacterial pathogen tested. However, powdered flower extract showed moderate activity. Thus the present data reveals that leaves and flowers are equally potential for the treatment of bacterial pathogens, which causes intestinal catarrh, indigestion, and colic intestinal abscesses.