Antibacterial Activity of Selected Ethnomedicinal Plants Popular in Magar Ethnic Community of Palpa District, Western Nepal

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to explore the potential antibacterial activity of 25 selected medicinal plant extracts against four strains of bacteria. The ethnomedicinal knowledge was documented using semi-structured, open-ended questionnaires, informal interviews, and group discussions with traditional healers and knowledgeable persons about plants and plant-based remedies. The evaluation of antibacterial activities of twenty-five extracts of different plants was carried out by adopting the disc diffusion method for four bacterial strains, namely - Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The results were reported by observing the inhibition zones. The results indicated that among 25 plant extracts examined, 16 (64%) plant extracts showed antibacterial property against Escherichia coli followed by 15 (60%) plant extracts against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 19 (76%) extracts each against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. Four plant extracts were not able to produce the zone of inhibition with any of the tested bacteria. Gram-positive bacteria are found to show more positive effects as compared to Gram-negative. Present findings of this study indicate that ethnomedicinal plant extracts have antibacterial activity against the different strains of tested bacteria. This activity supports their use in the treatment of infections caused by such resistant bacteria.