Inhibitory concentrations of Lawsonia innermis dry powder for urinary pathogens

Abstract

Objective: To study the possibility of in vitro antimicrobial activity of Lawsonia Innermis (LI) leaves. Method: Varying doses of LI suspensions (both powdered dried leaves and suspensions of fresh leaves) were tested fortheir antimicrobial activity against the urinary pathogens isolated from the patients urinary sample namely E. coli, Pr. mirabilis, K. pneumoniae, Ps. aeroginosa and Staph. aureus using both tube turbidity standards and disc diffusion method and their effects were observed. Results: LI dried leaves suspension - Antimicrobial activity - Broth dilution method: Gram (-): 55-85 μg/ ml and for Gram (+): >95 μg/ml. Disc diffusion method: >95 μg/ml for both Gram (-) and Gram (+) organisms. LI fresh leaves suspension - Antimicrobial activity - Disc diffusion method: E. coli: 10 μg/disc and for S. aureus: 25 μg/disc. Conclusion: LI leaves have definite antimicrobial activity against the common urinary pathogens and the leaf components which are responsible for this action have to be isolated.