Potential antibacterial activity of ethanolic Fig and Olive leaves extract against Enterococcus Faecalis

There has been an increasing awareness about the importance of herbal plants in therapeutic uses which are safe, efficient and induce little side effects This study was based on the evaluation of antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of the leaves of Oleaeuropaea (Olive tree) and Ficuscarica (Fig tree), alone and in combination, against enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) strain using well diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration. The results revealed that the Oleaeuropaea leave extract is more potent than the Ficuscarica leave extract against E. faecalis, as the zone of inhibition was 23 mm and 3 mm, respectively. By mixing both extracts, the results showed a slight synergistic effect, as the zones of inhibition were 20 mm, 24 mm, 24 mm and 25 mm for 1:1, 1:3, 1:6 and 1:9 ratios of the Oleaeuropaea leave and the Ficuscarica leave extracts, respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration for E. faecalis growth was 200 mg/ml for the Oleaeuropaea leave alone, Ficuscarica and mixed with Ficuscarica. The present findings conclude a potent antibacterial activity of the olive and fig leave, and, their potential as a source of drug in the treatment of E. faecalis infections is suggested.