Anti-bacterial activity of Euphorbia fusiformis - A rare medicinal herb

Abstract

Euphorbia fusiformis Buch.-Ham. ex. D.Don (Euphorbiaceae) is a rare medicinal herb. Aqueous and organic solvent extracts of the leaves and rootstocks were investigated for anti-bacterial properties by using disc diffusion and well-in agar methods, against pathogenic strains of Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhii A and Salmonella typhii B). The different extracts differed significantly in their anti-bacterial properties with the methanolic extract being very effective followed by acetone and chloroform extracts. Aqueous and ethanolic extract showed very least activity. The result highlights that rootstock extracts had good anti-bacterial properties than leaf extracts. The results of this study support the use of this plant in traditional medicine to treat fever, wound infections and intestinal disorders. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.