Protective effect of Lannea coromandelica Houtt. Merrill. against three common pathogens.
BACKGROUND
Ayurvedic text reports suggested Lannea coromandelica is used in various microbial origin disorders like dysentery, sore eyes and leprosy, genital wounds.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to investigate the antimicrobial effect of L. coromandelica Houtt. Merrill. (Anacardiaceae) on microbes which cause female reproductive tract infection.


METHODS
Ethanolic and aqueous bark extract (Ext.) of L. coromandelica were screened against strains of Streptococcus pyogens, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Antimicrobial assay had been done with agar well diffusion method.


RESULTS
Ethanolic extracts [100% (16 mg), 75% (12 mg) and 50% (8 mg)] of L. coromandelica exhibited zone of inhibition (ZI) 19.21 mm, 18.45 mm, 16.41 mm and 18.12 mm, 17.35 mm, 16.35 mm against S. aureus and S. pyogens, respectively. However, only 100% and 75% ethanolic extract showed (ZI-19.18 mm, 16.29 mm) activity against C. albicans. Nevertheless, aqueous extract (100%) showed higher antifungal activity (ZI-16.97 mm). Ciprofloxacin and amphotericin B were used as a standard drugs in the present study.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that L. coromandelica Houtt. Merrill. have antibacterial activity against S. pyogens, S. aureus and antifungal property against C. albicans. Our findings corroborate the ethnobotanical use of L. coromandelica in traditional medicine system (Ayurveda) of India.
Department of Dravyaguna, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
Rupinder
R
Kaur
Department of Dravyaguna, National Institute of Ayurveda, Jaipur, India.
Mohan Lal
ML
Jaiswal
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science and Technology, Banasthali Vidhyapith, Tonk, Rajasthan, India.
Vivek
V
Jain
Agar well diffusion method; Candida albicans; Lannea coromandelica; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcus pyogens; antibacterial; antifungal; ayurveda; female reproductive tract infection