Antibacterial activity of stem bark extract of traditionally used Terminalia bellirica (Gaerth.) Roxb.

Abstract

Medicinal Plants have been practised for hundreds of centuries by tribes all over the world. From the earliest times until the end of nineteenth century plants are still the common source of medicinal treatment yet. Using natural, plant-derived medicines that are “healthier” than prescription drugs derived from synthesized products is something that appeals to consumers. In this study, the plant Terminalia bellirica was taken for study due to the mesmerizing medicinal properties of the plant. The antibacterial activities of acetone, ethyl acetate, benzene and methanol extracts of Terminalia bellirica stem bark were tested for four pathogenic bacterial strains by agar disc diffusion method. Among the various extract, acetone extracts showed good antibacterial activity and maximum zone of inhibition was obtained for Staphylococus aureus (zone size 8mm) followed by Pseudomonas aurogenosa (10mm). The results are given in Table-1. Methanol extract showed antibacterial activity against E. coli (zone size 8mm). On the other hand ethyl acetate and benzene extract was found to be totally unaffected against these bacterial strains.