Antimicrobial Potential of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Fruits of Embelia ribes, Rhizomes of Nardostachys jatamansi, and Stolons of Picrorhiza kurroa: An In vitro Investigation

The traditional system of medicines using herbs is highly practical even today both in urban and rural parts of India, where they are commonly used as dietary supplements as well as therapeutic agents. There is a need for herbal supplements that work effectively against microbes, including multidrug-resistant organisms. Hence, the current research aimed to identify the antibacterial and antifungal properties of aqueous and ethanolic extracts prepared from the fruit of Embelia ribes, the rhizome of Nardostachys jatamansi and the stolon of Picrorhiza kurroa. Both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Embelia ribes fruit, Picrorhiza kurroa stolons and Nardostachys jatamansi rhizomes strongly inhibited the Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) strain. Picrorhiza kurroa stolon and Nardostachys jatamansi rhizome extracts have shown a maximum zone of inhibition for Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC 29212) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) strains. Nardostachy jatamansi rhizome extracts are effective against all three bacterial strains mentioned above. None of the three herbs inhibited the Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) strain. The results revealed the antibacterial properties of the aqueous and ethanolic plant extracts. This study substantiates the use of these herbs in ayurvedic formulations that help in treating infectious diseases. Continued research into its antimicrobial properties and mechanisms will be essential for fully realizing its therapeutic potential.