In vitro evaluation of antibacterial activity of crude extracts of Ficus benghalensis Linn., the banyan tree leaves

摘要

The antibacterial activity of Ficus benghalensis Linn., the banyan tree, leaves was tested on bacterial pathogens of humans. Hexane, chloroform and methanol extracts were used for the study of antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion method. The methanol extract showed higher antibacterial activity in comparison to the other two solvents. Relatively higher minimum inhibitory concentration was obtained with methanol extract for Klebsiella pneumoniae and Micrococcus luteus; however, less inhibitory effect was noted for chloroform and hexane extracts. Gram-negative bacteria were more susceptible than Gram-positive. Present study validates the traditional use of banyan leaves in medicine.