ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIMALARIAL ACTIVITIES OF SOME SELECTED ETHNO-MEDICINAL PLANTS USED BY TRIBAL COMMUNITIES OF TAPI DISTRICT, GUJARAT, INDIA

Abstract

In the present study, eight medicinal plants which are traditionally used by tribal communities of Tapi District, Gujarat were studied for antimicrobial and antimalarial activity. Acetone, ethyl acetate, hexane, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts of these plants were used to check for antibacterial, antifungal and antimalarial activity. The extract from plants were examined for antimicrobial activity against two gram-positive bacterial strains and two gram-negative bacterial strains. The antifungal activity of plant extracts was checked on three fungal strains. The plant extracts were tested for antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum strain. Acetone extract of Bauhinia foveolata bark and Bridelia spinosa bark showed most effective antibacterial activity and antifungal activity respectively in comparison with standard drugs. Ethyl acetate extracts of Bridelia spinosa leaf and Bauhinia foveolata bark showed significant antimalarial activity respectively which is superior then standard drug quinine. This study provides support for traditional uses of plants by various tribal people to cure some diseases. However, further research will be needed to isolate and characterized of active compound of these species.