A Study on Determination of Antibacterial Activity of Madhunaashini (Gymnema sylvestre) (Research Article)

Author(s): Jenifer Lolita C*

Abstract: The main purpose of the current study was to evaluate the antibacterial activities of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Madhunaashini (Gymnema sylvestre). Leaves of G. sylvestre was subjected to successive solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with water and ethanol. The extracts were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) before testing the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts G. sylvestre for Proteus mirabilis, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined by agar well diffusion technique. Results revealed that the zone of inhibition of G. Sylvestre for ethanolic & aqueous extracts was for P. mirabilis and E. coli was found to be 17 mm & 14 mm and 17 mm & 14 mm respectively. P. aeruginosa exhibited the zone of inhibition as 8 mm for ethanolic extract. In addition, ethanolic extract of G. Sylvestre exhibited antibacterial activity (17 mm) against P. mirabilis which is at par with that of standard antibiotic Streptomycin (18.5 mm). In conclusion, study findings confirmed that the ethanolic extract of G. sylvestre exhibited antibacterial activity at par with that of standard antibiotic streptomycin. Therefore, current study supplies as a scientific evidence-based report for the traditional use of G. sylvestre as an antibacterial agent.

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