SCREENING OF INDIAN MEDICINAL PLANTS AGAINST BIOFILM FORMING BACTERIA
Meera G.* and Aswathi P.
ABSTRACT
A biofilm is a polymeric conglomeration generally composed of extracellular DNA, proteins and polysaccharides of microorganisms. These biofilms are responsible for microbial diseases and dental carries. Most of plants and herbs are found to be medicinal and have antimicrobial activity to a greater extent. In the present study, we evaluated the antimicrobial activity of petroleum benzene and dicloromethane extracts of leaves of Azadirachta indica, Piper nigrum, Cuminum cyminum and Ocimum sanctum. Using the plant extracts, antibacterial assay was performed and the zone of inhibition for each samples were measured. In addition, plant extracts forming the zone of inhibition greater than 15mm was screened to perform biofilm inhibition assay. The biofilm inhibition assay was done with different concentration of the extract against the samples. The sample OD value was recorded and the percentage of inhibition was calculated. All the parameters were found to be effective and within the standards. Altogether, the study suggests a preventive effect of Azadirachta indica and Piper nigrum in fungal species, but still longer-term randomized clinical trials are necessary to confirm its therapeutic properties.
Keywords: Azadirachta indica, Piper nigrum, Cuminum cyminum, Ocimum sanctum, Biofilm, Phytochemicals, Extraction, Antibaterial activity, Evaluation.
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