Identification of Newer Antimicrobial Agents: A Study of Invitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Leaf extracts of Medicinal Plant <i>Aerva lanata</i> (L.) Juss. ex Schult

Abstract

In the era of presence and spread of infectious diseases caused by microorganisms demonstrating resistance against most antimicrobial agents routinely used in the treatment, there is a serious need of search for potential agents which can be used as antimicrobials. The plant extracts of Aerva lanata were collected and processed using standard procedures. Whatman filter papers were then impregnated with varied concentrations of plant extract and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method for bacteria. The standard disk diffusion method was used to test antifungal drugs against yeasts, and non-dermatophyte filamentous fungal isolates.The ethanolic extract at a concentration of 600 µg/ mL and 900 µg/ mL showed increased antibacterial activities against Esherichia coli as compared to the standard drug tested at similar concentrations. The chloroform extracts and the ethanol extract revealed increased antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae. The chloroform solvent extract showed similar antifungal activities as the standard drug against Candida albicans, and the H 2 O extract showed greater antifungal activity against Drechslera halodes as compared to the control drug tested. Antibacterial and antifungal properties of leaf extracts of Aerva lanata plant in comparison with the control drugs revealed either similar or increased activities signifying their potential for future candidates as antimicrobial agents.