Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Vitex negundo Leaf Extracts against Clinically Isolated Bacterial Pathogens

摘要

Infectious diseases, the leading cause of premature deaths, in the world are killing almost 50,000 people every day. An increase in antibiotic resistant bacteria is threatening world population with the recurrence of infectious diseases that were once thought to be under control at least in developed countries (WHO 1994). In the recent years incidence of multi-drug resistance in Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniaee), Gram negative (E. coli, Shigella, Pseudomonas aueroginosa) and other bacteria like Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been reported from all over the world. These multi-drug resistant bacteria have also created additional problems in cancer and AIDS patients. According to a report of World Health Organization, more than 80% of world’s populations depend on traditional medicine for their primary health care needs During the last few decades there has been an increasing interest in the study of medicinal plants and their traditional use in different parts of the world but documenting the indigenous knowledge through ethno botanical studies is important for the conservation and utilization of biological resources. There are considerable economic benefits in the development of indigenous medicines and in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of various diseases. In vitro antibacterial activity of leaves of Vitexnegundo Linn. was examined against 5strains of clinically isolated bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. They were treated with Ethanol, Methanol, Petroleum Ether and Chloroform extracts. Methanol and Ethanol showed the maximum bacterial growth inhibition.