Antibacterial activity of Rhus succedanea Var. Himalaica

The antibacterial activity of leaf and root ethanolic extracts as well as crude alkaloids and flavonoids from both the parts of Rhus succedanea were carried against bacterial strains viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Clavibacter michiganensis, Proteus vulgaris and Xanthomonas spp. The antibacterial activity was carried out on nutrient agar medium using disk diffusion method. The flavonoid fraction of root showed significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Clavibacter michiganensis, Proteus vulgaris and Xanthomonas spp with 24, 25, 15 and 23 mm zone of inhibition respectively; followed by leaf flavonoid fractions with 22, 18, 19 and 20 mm zone of inhibition at 1000μg/ml as compared to reference drug (streptomycin) having 27, 26, 26 and 26 mm at concentration of 0.5 μg/ml respectively. While ethanolic extract and other fractions showed dose dependent activities in order of highest root alkaloids < leaf alkaloids < leaf ethanolic extract and lowest by root ethanolic extract. MIC value confirmed that both alkaloids and flavonoids fraction were more potent than ethanolic extracts of root and leaves. The present study showed that R. succedanea have good significant antimicrobial potential against both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains.