EVALUATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL PROPERTIES OF JUSTICIA ADHATODA LEAF EXTRACTS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

Justicia adhatoda which belongs to the family Acanthanceae is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. Justicia adhatoda is a multipurpose medicinal plant with several pharmacological properties like anti-inflammatory, anti -microbial, antioxidant, and also used to treat various diseases since ancient times to treat respiratory infections. Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial pathogen. The present study evaluates the antibacterial activity of different solvent extracts of Justicia adhatoda against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram Positive bacteria). The antibacterial activity of four solvent extracts of Justicia adhatoda was evaluated in vitro, with strains of the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The result of the present study supports the traditional use of studied medicinal plants in the treatment of bacterial infections and it also provides an important basis for the use of leaf extracts of Justicia adhatoda used to control infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus (Gram Positive bacteria). Justicia adhatoda leaf extract could be a green, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic chemical base hazardous artificial antibacterial agents through more research and systematic clinical trials.