In vitro antimicrobial activity of leaf and bark extract of Cassia fistula L.

Abstract

Antimicrobial activity of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of leaves and bark of Cassia fistula L. was examined by disc diffusion method against selected pathogenic microorganisms. Although, both the extracts showed the promising antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas aerogenosa, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. The maximum average zone of inhibition (34.0mm) and (32.5mm) was exhibited by bark and leaf extracts respectively at the concentration of 2.0 mg/ml against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and no zone of inhibition was formed by leaf extract and minimum (0.1mm) zone of inhibition was observed with bark extract against Streptococcus faecalis. Standard antibiotic Ketoconazole for fungi and streptomycin for bacteria were used for comparative zone of inhibition and MIC study. However these results revealed that the ethanolic and aqueous extract of C. fistula L. can be used as a potential antimicrobial source for various infections.