Antibacterial Activities of Xanthium Strumarium L.

Antibacterial activities of Xanthium strumarium L. (Asteraceae) was carried out in laboratory. Distilled water and methanol extracts of the leaves of plant was prepared. The antibacterial activity was studied against six pathogenic bacteria, three gram negative: Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 15380), Proteus mirabilis (ATCC 49132), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and three gram positive: Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25932) at different concentrations (50 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, 150 mg/ml, 200 mg/ ml, 250 mg/ml) of leaf extracts of X. strumurium. The phytochemical screening depicted the presence of terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and alkaloids. The antibacterial activity of extracts was determined by disc diffusion method and zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured. Gram negative bacteria was found more resistant than gram positive bacteria. The most susceptible bacterium was S. aureus while the most resistant bacterium was E. coli. Methanolic extract was found more effective than distilled water. These findings suggest that extracts obtained from leaves of X. strumurium possess biobactericidal potential, which can suitably be exploited for making antibacterial drugs.J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol. 29, 2015, Page: 70-77