P. S. PARMA R, A.R. DESHPANDE* AND MOHD. MUSADDIQ
Abstract
Karkatshringii is a plant based product which has medicinal importance in Ayurveda. Antibacterial and antifungal activities of this crude ayurvedic drug were tested in the present study. Extracts of Karkatshringi powder were prepared in acetone, 90% methanol, petroleum ether and water. These extracts were tested for the antibacterial activity against standard cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella typhimurium. Acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts exhibited activity against S. aureus, B. cereus, B. subtilis and P. vulgaris. Acetone and aqueous extracts were also active against Salmonella typhimurium. The extracts were tested for the presence of antifungal activity against Candida albi cans, Cryptococcus neoformans and Fusarium oxysporum. Acetone and 90% methanol extracts showed activity against Cryptococcus neoforrnans and Fusarium oxysporum.