Antimicrobial Potential of Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Ruta graveolens Leaves

Abstract

In the present study, the antibacterial activity of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens leaves was evaluated against some bacterial pathogens namely Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis, using the agar-well diffusion method. E. coli was found to be the most susceptible bacterial strain (zone of inhibition: 19 mm at a concentration of 200 mg/ml), while that of streptomycin (the standard drug) which showed 22 mm diameter zone of inhibition). Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of phenolics, alkaloids and steroids, which may the active compounds in the hydro-alcoholic extract of Ruta graveolens leaves. The results suggest that R. graveolens can be used as an herbal drug in the treatment of bacterial diseases.