Antimicrobial activity and phytochemistry of methanolic stem bark extract of <i>Melia azedarach </i>(Linn.)

Abstract

The use of traditional medicine is increasing and gaining popularity throughout the developed and developing countries. About 80 % of the people in developing countries rely on traditional medicine for primary health care. The present study was carried out to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the stem bark of Melia azedarach extracted using methanol as solvent. Phytochemical screening revealed that methanolic stem bark extract contain alkaloid, cardiac glycoside, flavonoids, saponins, steroid, tannin and terpenoid. Antimicrobial efficiency were tested against four human pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus spp. The diameter of zone of inhibition (ZOI) was measured and it was found that the extract showed a maximum zone of inhibition against Gram negative and Gram positive pathogens and the zone of inhibition was found to be concentration dependent. The result obtained in this study may be indication that alcoholic extracts of this plant could be a possible source of obtaining new and effective herbal medicine to treat infections which justify the ethno    medicinal uses of Melia azedarach against infectious diseases agents. 

Key words: Melia azedarach, antimicrobial, activity, traditional medicine, extract