Antimicrobial Activity of Achyranthes Aspera and Aerva Lanata Leaf and Callus Extracts

S. H. K. R. Prasad¹*, N. L. Swapna², K. Anthonamma⁴, Madanprasad³ and D. Rajasekhar⁴

¹SIMS College of Pharmacy, Guntur - 522 002 India.

²Hindu College of Pharmacy, Guntur - 522 002 India.

³Department of Biotechnology, R.P.S.College,Magadh University, Bodh Gaya - 824 234 India.

⁴St. Ann’s College for Women, Gorantla, Guntur - 522 035 India.

Corresponding Author E-mail:  doctor.prasadshkr@gmail.com

ABSTRACT: The in vitro antimicrobial activity of Achyranthes aspera and Aerva lanata leaf and callus extracts were studied against selected pathogenic fungi and bacteria, following broth dilution assay. Leaves and calli were extracted using absolute alcohol, benzene, chloroform, methanol and petroleum ether. Among the five solvents used, leaf and callus extracted in chloroform of both the plants were found to be more effective against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, where the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranged between 0.25 to 6 mg/ml. Absolute alcohol extracts showed MIC of 0.25 to 4 mg/ml for bacteria, whereas for fungi it ranged from 0.25 to 100 mg/ml. Extracts of benzene and petroleum ether were ineffective in inhibiting the bacterial and fungal growth or showed poor inhibition. Methanol extract showed MIC of 0.25 to 100 mg/ml against bacterial pathogens and 0.5 to 100 mg/ml against fungal pathogens. The antimicrobial activities of these two indigenous medicinal plants were discussed in the present paper.

KEYWORDS: Achyranthes aspera; Aerva lanata; leaf; callus; extract; antimicrobial assay

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