Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL INVESTIGATION OF CRUDE EXTRACTS OF THE LEAVES OF CARDIOSPERMUM HELICACABUM L. AND CARDIOSPERMUM CANESCENS WALL

Uma G*, Sindhu S and Balasubramaniam V

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to evaluate and compare the antimicrobial activity of Cardiaspermum helicacabum and Cardiaspermum canescens Methods: Two solvent extracts (petroleum ether,methanol) of C.helicacamum and C.canasence leaves were investigated against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptocococus faecalis, Streptocococus pyogenes, Salmonella paratyphi, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, by using agar well diffusion method. Results: Among the two extracts tested methanol extract had effective antibacterial potential, followed by petroleum ether. The methanol extract showed greater activity against Gram-positive than against Gram-negative organisms. Conclusion: The study confirms the antimicrobial activitiy of C.helicacamum and C.canasence leaves extracted using various solvents, and is therefore, a potential drug that requires further studies and development.

Keywords: C.helicacamum , C.canasence , Antibacterial.