European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

STUDY ON ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF AERIAL PART OF ARGEMONE MEXICANA LINN

Raveendra Singh Kushtwar* and Subhasish tripathy

ABSTRACT

On the contrary in India, herbal drugs are an integral part of the Indian system of medicine (Ayurveda) which is an ancient and main stream system. The antimicrobial activity of aerial part of Argemone mexicana was investigated and it is found that ethyl acetate extract (EAE) of Argemone mexicana is most active. The two Gram-positive, two Gram-negative bacterial strains and yeast were used. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Argemone mexicana samples showed antibacterial activity against S. aureus, B. subtilis, S. aeruginosa and E.coli. From these results it may be stated that Gram-positives bacteria are more susceptible to EAEAM antibacterial activity than Gram-negatives bacteria. Antibacterial activity of EAEAM may be due to the flavonoids, aromatic acids, and its esters. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids. Therefore results of this study indicate the ethanolic extract of aerial part of Argemone mexicana possesses antibacterial activity.

Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Argemone mexicana, Aerial part, Ethanolic extract.