Studies on the Antibacterial Activity of the Extract of Stachytarpheta angusti folia

To investigate the scientific bases for t/te traditional use of Stachy-tarpheta angustifolia. Methods: In vitro antibacterial activity of the aqueous and ethanol extract of the plant was investigated using the agar cup plate diffusion method. Results: The ethanol extract of the plant showed antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenterme, Slaphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) , Salmonella sp. , Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Neisseria gonor-r/iaeae, while the water extract was active against Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Shigella dysenterme, Sta-phylococcus aureus and. Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The etlianol extract exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the water extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal, concentration (MBC} of the ethanol extract were 0. 65 mg/mt and 0. 85 mg/ml, respectively , against S. aureus. Treatment of the extract at higher temperature, 60℃ increased the sensitivity of the test organisms to the plant extract. Phytochemical analysis indicated t/tat the plant possesses tannins, saponins as well as phenols. Conclusion: A scientific basis exists that the plant possesses antibacterial activity and it could be a probable source of therapeutic agent.