Antibacterial activity of Psoralea corylifolia l. seed and aerial parts with various extraction methods

Abstract

Aim of the present study was to screen thirteen plants for their in vitro antibacterial potentiality. The antibacterial activity of aqueous and methanolic extracts of the plants was evaluated against 5 microorganisms by agar well diffusion method. The screening experiments showed that 92% of the plants were active against gram positive bacteria while only 54% of plants were active against Gram negative bacteria. Amongst the 13 plants screened, Psoralea corylifolia showed best antibacterial activity and hence this plant was selected for further studies. The seed and aerial parts of Psoralea corylifolia was extracted successively using a series of various organic solvents. The antibacterial activity of these extracts was done against 5 microorganisms by agar disc diffusion method. All the extracts of seed and aerial parts were active against S. epidermidis and P. morganii while none of the extracts were active against A. fecalis. Maximum antibacterial activity was shown by dioxan extract of the seed. The present findings suggest that the dioxan extract of seed of P. corylifolia can be used as a promising novel antibacterial agent in the near future. & copy:2011 Academic Journals Inc.