Evaluation of anti-bacterial properties of ethanol extract of Ficus exasperata leaf

Abstract

This study evaluated the antibacterial effect of ethanolic extract of Ficus exasperate leaf. Clinical isolates of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphyllococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were incubated in agar plates after serial dilutions of the extract were added in wells made in the agar and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. Thereafter, zones of inhibition (in mm) around the wells were measured. The same organisms were tested for sensitivity against standard antibiotics using disk diffusion. The extract demonstrated significant antibacterial activity. It was concluded that the extract had significant antibacterial activity against test organisms with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 250 μg/ml. Its use for treatment of infections by traditional healers is justified.

Key words: Ficus exasperata, minimum inhibitory concentration, antibacterial activity, agar dilution.