ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF ROOTS OF COCCULUS HIRSUTUS BY AGAR PLATE DIFFUSION METHOD

The present study envisaged evaluating the roots of Cocculus hirsutus for its antimicrobial activity. Methanolic Extract of Cocculus hirsutus was screened for its in vitro antimicrobial activity by agar diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of the roots of C. hirsutus was studied using Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aerugenosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus subtilis as test organisms. Methanolic extract was found to be more effective against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aerugenosa. Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of roots of C.hirsutus revealed the presence of alkaloids, sterols and resins which suggests that these phytoconstituents may be responsible for their antimicrobial activity.