Chemical Evaluation and Antimicrobial Activity of Leaf Powder of Cynodon dactylon

The use of medicinal plants in the world and especially in India, contributes significantly to primary health care. Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. is a type of perennial grass that possesses great medicinal values. Whole plant of the Cynodon dactylon is traditionally used to treat painful and inflammatory conditions. The present study describes the phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of Cynodon dactylon. For the present studies, the chemical studies are done using ethanolic extracts and antimicrobial activities are done using ethanolic extract. Phytoconstituents present in Cynodon dactylon are Saponins, Tannins, steroids, alkaloids and Flavonoids. In this study the ethanolic extract of Cynodon dactylon was used to determine the antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis. The antimicrobial activity was determined using the cup plate method. The diameter of the clear zone of inhibition surrounding the well was measured. It can be concluded that ethanolic extract of the leaf powder of Cynodon dactylon may be considered as an antimicrobial agent.