ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2241-9837 Vol. 12 (3), pp. 001-004, March, 2018. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
In vitro antimicrobial activity of leaves of Acalypha indica Linn. (Euphorbiaceae)
M. N. Somchit1,2*, R. Abdul Rashid1, A. Abdullah1, A. Zuraini1, Z. A. Zakaria1, M. R. Sulaiman1, A. K. Arifah3 and A. R. Mutalib3
1Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
2Sports Academy, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
3Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Accepted 03 January, 2018
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of water, ethanol and chloroform extracts of Acalypha indica was tested against four bacterial and fungal strains using the disc diffusion method. The antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria was more pronounced (p < 0.05) in water and ethanol extracts. Antifungal activity was more significant (p < 0.05) only in chloroform extract. This antimicrobial activity was compared to standard antibiotics (penicillin, enrofloxacin, ampicillin and chlorampenicol) and antifungal drugs (ketoconazole, itraconazole and fluconazole). Findings from current study support the use of Acalypha indica in traditional medicine for the treatment of various bacterial and fungal infections.
Key words: Antifungal, antibacterial, disc diffusion assay.