Antimicrobial activity of leaf and root methanolic extracts from Vinca pusilla Murr.

Abstract

Vinca pusilla Murr. is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat several diseases. To substantiate the traditional medicinal utility of the plant, the present study aims at screening the antimicrobial activity of methanolic extracts of leaves and roots against five Gram positive, five Gram negative bacterial and four fungal strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined by two fold dilution assay. The results indicated that, leaf and root extracts were more effective on Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus strains (MIC < 1 mg/mL). The tested organisms were sensitive to root extract compared to leaf extract. Fungal strains were resistant than the bacterial strains to both the extracts. Thus the present study illustrates the antimicrobial potential of the plant.