Abstract

INHIBITORY EFFECT OF SOME PLANTS OF WESTERN GHATS AGAINST CLINICAL ISOLATES OF DENTAL CARIES AND URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

Vivek M.N, Manasa M, Yashoda Kambar, Vinayaka K.S, Mallikarjun N,Prashith Kekuda T.R*

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed at determining antibacterial activity against 2 oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans and 5 drug resistant urinary tract pathogens of 23 plants (belonging to 16 families) from Western Ghats of Shivamogga district, Karnataka, India. The plant materials were shade dried and extracted using methanol. The extracts were screened for antibacterial activity by Agar well diffusion assay against two oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans and five drug resistant bacteria from urinary tract infection. The extracts were effective against oral and urinary tract isolates but to a varied extent. Gram positive uropathogens viz., Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis were more susceptible to extracts of selected plants. Among uropathogens, Klebsiella pneumoniae was least inhibited by extracts. Among selected plants, Psychotria nigra, Aglaia roxburghiana, Chromolaena odorata and Persea macrantha displayed marked inhibitory activity against test bacteria. The plants can be used for treating urinary tract infections and dental caries. The plants can be exploited for the development of pharmacologically active agents having activity against clinical isolates.

Keywords: Western Ghats, Antibacterial activity, Agar well diffusion, Urinary tract infection, Dental caries