ANTIMICROBIAL EFFECTS OF STEM AND FRUITS EXTRACT OF PROSOPIS CINERARIA (L) DRUCE

Extensive and uncontrolled widespread use of antibiotics has developed the emergence of resistance by a variety of pathogens against several classes of antibiotics. The scientists are in continuous search of some valuable plants to overcome the problem of antimicrobial resistance. Prosopis cinerarium is extensively employed in the treatment of boils, skin disorders, as blood purifier and for dysentery etc. The objective of this research was to explore and identify the antimicrobial activity of aqueous-ethanolic extract of stem and fruits of Prosopis Cineraria (L) druce. Antimicrobial activity of both of the extracts was evaluated by disc diffusion assay against three gram positive bacteria, three gram negative bacteria and two fungal isolates. IC50 and IC90 for all bacterial cultures were determined by using 96-well plate method. Results indicated that both stem and fruit extracts inhibit all the bacterial and fungal cultures up to a considerable level. Stem extract exhibited greater activity than fruit extract and both extracts were found to be more effective against gram positive bacteria than that of gram negative bacteria. Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that it contained saponins, alkaloids, tannins, pholobatannins, flavonoids, steroids and glycosides which are responsible for antimicrobial activity. However, there is still a strong need of further studies to explore the molecular basis of mechanism of anti microbial action of plant extract.