Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of Plants Balanites Aegyptiaca Del. and Tylophora Indica Merr. against Resistant Organisms Especially Those Harbouring Bla Genes

Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of endangered medicinal plants Balanites aegyptiaca and Tylophora indica were analyzed for antibacterial potential against various gram positive and gram negative bacteria including resistant strains harbouring bla genes by agar well diffusion method. Alcoholic extracts of both the plants showed activity against wider range of tested bacteria as compared to aqueous extracts which showed limited antibacterial activity. The alcoholic extract of leaf of Tylophora indica showed good activity against gram negative bacteria and mild activity against those harbouring bla genes, whereas, the alcoholic extract of fruit of Balanites aegyptiaca showed excellent antibacterial activity against gram positive, gram negative bacteria as well as resistant bacteria harbouring bla genes. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the alcoholic extracts were determined by broth microdilution method. The MIC values of the alcoholic fruit extract of B. aegyptiaca against tested bacterial species ranged from 1.53 to 49.0 μg/ml and MIC of alcoholic leaf extract of T. indica ranged from 3.05 to 98.0 μg/ml. The present study leads to conclusion that extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca and Tylophora indica contain good antibacterial activity which can be used as novel antimicrobial compounds in the treatment of various infections showing resistance to treatment by currently used antimicrobial agents.