Abstract

ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECT OF PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS AND OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM AGAINST MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS

N. Sireesha*, D. Vijay Kumar, E. Supriya, C. Suma, N. Hemanth,
C. Ramanarayana

ABSTRACT

Antimicrobial agents are the chemical substances which kill microbes or prevent the growth of microbes. Infectious diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa and multicellular parasites. Due to a rapid increase in the rate of infections, antibiotic resistance in microorganisms and due to side effects of synthetic antibiotics, hence an alternative therapy is needed. The frequency of life-threatening infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms has increased worldwide and is becoming an important cause of morbidity and mortality. In this study Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of two medicinal plants are subjected to in-vitro antibacterial assay against human pathogenic mycobacterium employing cup diffusion method. Among two plants tested Ethanolic extracts of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Plectranthus amboinicus the most effective against MTB. Other than methanolic leaf extract was less effective against MTB. Largest zone of zone of inhibition of 7mm was obtained with Ethanolic extract of Ocimum Tenuiflorum and Plectranthus Amboinicus plants against MTB, Methanolic extract zone of inhibition of 5mm was obtained with Methanolic extract of Ocimum Tenuiflorum and Plectranthus Amboinicus.

Keywords: Bacteria, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Plectranthus amboinicus, Zone of inhibition.