ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF TINOSPORA CRISPA ROOT EXTRACTS

Abstract

The aim of this study wa s to determine the in vitro antimicrobial activit y of ethanol, distilled water, methanol and chloroform crude extracts of the root s of Tinospora crispa. Antimicrobial activity was examined by disc diff usion method against gram positive bacterial strains of Streptococcus pneumonia, gram negative bacterial strains of Escherichia coli and fungal strains of Candida albicans . The maximum zone of inhibition was obtained with ethanol extract against Escherichi a coli and Streptococcus pneumonia followed by chloroform extract against the same organisms. W hilst distilled water extract show ed a minim al zone of inhibition , methanol extract showed a moderate zone of inhibition against the bacterial strains used. The values were compared with a standard antibiotic. The e thanol extract also showed the maximum zone of inhibition against the growth of Candida albicans , whereas the lowest activity was shown with distilled water crude extract . M ethanol and chloroform crude extracts showed considerably moderate activities against the fungal strain, as compared to the standard antibiotic used.