Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Craniotome furcata (Lamiaceae).

BACKGROUND

Craniotome furcata (Link.) O. Kuntze (Lamiaceae) is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of cuts and wounds indicating antimicrobial activity.

OBJECTIVE

To validate the traditional medicinal claim, in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was screened against eleven human pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

METHODS

The ethyl acetate (CE) and n-butanol (CB) extracts of the aerial parts of Craniotome furcata were tested against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and three fungi species. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the tube-dilution method.

RESULTS

The CE and CB extracts showed antimicrobial activity against all of the tested microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 0.41-4.58mg/ml.

CONCLUSIONS

The tested microbes Micrococcus flavus and Escherichia coli were highly susceptible to extract CE and antimicrobial activity of CB is comparable to that of extract CE against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus faecalis while it is better than that of extract CE, against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Both the extracts were found less susceptible against tested fungi.