ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LINN.

The Plants are known for their diverse pharmacological activities including antimicrobial activity. In the present work an attempt has been made to find out the antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae). The Diethyl ether, Ethyl acetate and Acetone solvent extracts of leaves of the plant were screened for anti bacterial activity. The screening was done by agar well diffusion method against Bacillus Subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae. The present study revealed that Diethyl ether extracts showed significant antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter cloacae. Among the all bacteria screened Enterobacter cloacae was found to be more susceptible and Bacillus subtilis more resistant. This study concludes that the plant extracts were active against some gram negative bacteria.