Bio-efficacy of Unripen Fruits of Winter Cherry (Withania somnifera)

The unripen fruits of Winter cherry (Withania somnifera) were evaluated against medically important bacteria viz. Proteus merabilis, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Agerobacterium tumefaciens (plant pathogen) and one fungi Aspergillus niger. The dried and powdered unripen fruits were successively extracted with a series of non polar to polar solvents using soxhlet assembly. The antimicrobial assay was done by both disc diffusion assay (DDA) and broath dilution methods. Petrolium ether extract and toluene extract of W. somnifera show highest activity after glacial acetic acid extract against A. tumefaciens (plant pathogen) to varying degrees in the terms of high inhibition zone and activity index. Gentamycin, the standard antibacterial drug used was effective in inhibiting these bacteria. A. tumefaciens was the most susceptible organism in compare to the other organism. Gentamycin and Ketoconazole, the standard antibacterial and antifungal used was effective against the bacteria and fungi. The extract of W. somnifera also significantly (P>0.005) inhibited the bacterial and fungal growth. The inhibitory effect is very identical in magnitude and comparable with that of standard antibiotics used.