Antimicrobial activity of the leaf extracts of two medicinal plants against MRSA (Methicilin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) from human urinary tract pathogens

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess the antimicrobial activity of the methanolic leaf extracts of two Indian medicinal plants Clitoria ternatea and Achyranthes aspera on urinary pathogens. Urinary pathogens were isolated from 127 urine samples taken from subjects diagnosed with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Microorganisms were plated on Muller-Hinton agar. Plant extracts were tested by disc diffusion method and the zones of inhibition against pathogenic strains were measured. Clitoria ternatea and Achyranthes aspera showed antimicrobial activity against seven and five strains of urinary pathogens, respectively. Interestingly both plants showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA (Methicilin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). These results showed that crude plant extracts has wide range of antibacterial activity against UTI pathogen particularly against MRSA. © 2011 Academic Journals Inc.