Abstract

This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of leaves of Azadirachta indica Linn. The aim of the study is to assess the antimicrobial activity and to determine the zone of inhibition of extracts on some bacterial and fungal strains. In the present study, the microbial activity of hydroalcohol extracts of leaves of Azadirachta indica Linn. (an ethnomedicinal plant) was evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against medically important bacterial and fungal strains. The antimicrobial activity was determined in the extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of extracts ( 50, 100, 250, 500,1000 ?g/ml) of Azadirachta indica were tested against two Gram-positive�Staphylococcus aureus and Penicillum notatum. two Gram-negative�Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa human pathogenic bacteria; and fungal strains�Aspergillus niger. Zone of inhibition of extracts were compared with that of different standards like, chloramphenicol for antibacterial activity and citokonazole for antifungal activity. The results showed that the remarkable inhibition of the bacterial growth was shown against the tested organisms. The phytochemical analyses of the plants were carried out. The microbial activity of the Azadirachta indicawas due to the presence of various secondary metabolites. Hence, these plants can be used to discover bioactive natural products that may serve as leads in the development of new pharmaceuticals research activities

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