Studies on antimicrobial activity of leaves of Phyllanthus niruri Linn.

The present study investigates the phytochemical composition and antibacterial potential of Annona squamosa and Withania somnifera using methanolic and aqueous extracts. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the consistent presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and alkaloids in both plant species, regardless of the solvent used. Antibacterial efficacy was assessed against six human pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli) using the agar well diffusion method. Methanolic extracts of both plants exhibited notably higher zones of inhibition compared to their aqueous counterparts, with Proteus vulgaris showing the greatest sensitivity. However, the standard antibiotic streptomycin sulphate demonstrated superior antibacterial activity across all test organisms. The results highlight the potential of Annona squamosa and Withania somnifera as sources of bioactive compounds with moderate antimicrobial properties, supporting their traditional use in herbal medicine and indicating their relevance for further pharmacological exploration.