The organic and aqueous leaf extracts of Phyllanthus niruri L. were studied against four bacterial pathogens. The antimicrobial susceptibility was screened using the disc diffusion method. The results showed that it was active against both Gram – positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram – negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhi) studied. The organic leaf extracts revealed potential antimicrobial activity. Whereas, the aqueous extract has no impact on the microbes studied. Out of the four organic leaf extracts studied the DMSO was highly effective against all the four bacteria, while the effect of acetone and methanol extract of leaf was moderate on pathogens and very low inhibition was shown by ethanolic extract. This study indicates that the Phyllanthus niruri dry leaf possesses a potential broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity.
Phyllanthus niruri, Antibacterial potential, Gram positive and negative bacteria
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