In vitro antibacterial activity of few medicinal plants against Escherichia coli

Antibiotics are commonly used to treat most microbial infections. But their irrational uses, resistance of bacteria towards them and side-effects have put their significance in jeopardy. Medicinal plants are known to cure microbial diseases and have been used since ancient times. Besides, they are easily available and exhibit minimum side effects. In the present study, a few medicinal plants, found commonly in and around Sangli district were checked for their anti-microbial activity against an opportunistic pathogen Escherichia coli isolate and standard culture of E. coli ATCC 25928. Aqueous extracts of ten selected medicinal plants and ten selected antibiotics were used during the course of study. The aim was to deliberate upon whether they can be useful as an alternative for allopathic therapy. Escherichia coli isolate was found susceptible to six out of ten aqueous plant extracts and all ten standard antibiotics were used for treating common infections. E. coli ATCC 25928 was found susceptible to seven aqueous plant extracts and five standard antibiotics. This suggests that the aqueous plant extracts under investigation have the potential to be considered for alternate medical purposes as anti-bacterial agents.