Assay of Antibacterial Activity of Gymnema sylvestre Extracts

The aim of the present study was to determination of antibacterial activities of ethanolic and aqueous leaf extracts of Madhunaashini (Gymnema sylvestre). Leaves of G. sylvestre was subjected to successive solvent extraction by continuous hot extraction (Soxhlet) with water and ethanol. The extracts were dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) before testing the antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity of leaf extracts G. sylvestre for Proteus mirabilis, E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined by agar well diffusion technique. Results delineated that zone of inhibition of G. Sylvestre for ethanolic & aqueous extracts for E. coli and P. mirabilis was found to be 17 mm & 13 mm and 19 mm & 16 mm respectively. Leaf extracts G. sylvestre for P. aeruginosa exhibited the zone of inhibition as 10 mm for ethanolic extract. In addition, ethanolic extract of G. Sylvestre exhibited antibacterial activity (19 mm) against P. mirabilis which is at par with that of standard antibiotic Streptomycin (20.5 mm). In conclusion, G. sylvestre could be used as an antibacterial agent since it was demonstrated from the current study findings that the ethanolic extract of G. sylvestre exhibited antibacterial activity at par with that of standard antibiotic streptomycin.