World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIAL OF BOSWELLIA SERRATA ROXB. EX. COLEBR.EXTRACTS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENS.

Dr. Aarti R. Deshpande*

ABSTRACT

In the context of the growing problem of multidrug resistant strains of microorganisms, discovery and introduction of novel alternative antimicrobial compounds is a major challenge. Medicinal plants that have been traditionally used for the treatment of diseases with microbial etiology, could offer potent antimicrobial drugs. Considering the medicinal importance of Boswellia serrata an attempt was made in present study to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of this plant against human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The sequential extracts of leaves and bark of this plant were separately prepared in petroleum ether, acetone, 90% methanol and water. Antibacterial activity of these extracts were tested against standard cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium using well plate method. Significant antimicrobial activity was exhibited by acetone and methanol extracts. The relative minimum inhibitory concentrations of these extracts were determined for four bacteria and were found to be in the range of 3.12 mg/ml to 12.5 mg/ml for different bacteria. Antifungal activities of the organic extracts were tested against Microsporum gypseum, Candida albicans, and Cryptococcus neoformas. Appreciable antifungal activity was recorded for B. serrata leaves extract.  

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