ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA LEAF EXTRACT ON SOME BACTERIA ISOLATES,

ABSTRACT The increasing resistance of bacteria to conventional antibiotics has become a major global health concern. This challenge has renewed scientific interest in medicinal plants as alternative sources of antimicrobial agents. One such plant is Azadirachta indica, commonly known as neem, which has been widely used in traditional medicine for centuries. This study investigated the antibacterial activities of Azadirachta indica leaf extract on selected bacterial isolates. Fresh neem leaves were collected, dried, and processed to obtain crude extracts. The antibacterial properties of the extract were tested against selected bacterial species using standard microbiological techniques. Zones of inhibition produced by the extracts were measured and compared with those produced by conventional antibiotics. The results showed that neem leaf extract exhibited varying degrees of antibacterial activity against the tested organisms. The inhibitory effects observed suggest that the plant contains bioactive compounds capable of suppressing bacterial growth. The findings of this study support the potential use of Azadirachta indica as a natural antimicrobial agent. It also highlights the need for further research to isolate the specific compounds responsible for the antibacterial activity and to explore their possible applications in modern medicine.