ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF SELECTED MEDICINAL PLANT EXTRACTS (AZADIRACHTA INDICA, MORINGA OLEIFERA AND OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM) AGAINST COMMON PATHOGENS
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic microorganisms has become a major public health concern worldwide. This study investigated the antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plant extracts—Azadirachta indica (Neem), Moringa oleifera, and Ocimum gratissimum (Scent leaf)—against common bacterial pathogens. Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, dried, and extracted using ethanol and aqueous solvents. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was evaluated against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar disc diffusion method, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth dilution technique. The results showed that ethanol extracts exhibited higher antibacterial activity compared to aqueous extracts. Azadirachta indica demonstrated the highest inhibitory effect, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings validate the traditional use of these plants in the treatment of bacterial infections and suggest their potential as alternative sources of antibacterial agents.
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