Author:
DIN SZU,FAZAL MO,ISHTIAQUE A,ULLAH A
Abstract
Plant extract (Lantana camara) and earthworm (Pheretima posthuma) extract have been used to treat many illnesses for centuries; they have been reported to suppress the growth of many pathogenic bacteria and are specially used for wound healing. We analyzed the antibacterial activity of the different organic extracts obtained from these species against pathogenic strains of bacteria and compared them to know which is more potent for developing antiseptic ointment. Ethanol and acetone solvents were used for the extraction and analyzed for their antibacterial activity by the disk diffusion and shake flask test. Then we identified the minimum inhibitory concentration of extracts against gram-positive and gram-negative strains. Lantana camara showed the largest growth inhibitory zone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, followed by Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus. MIC for plant extract was 150μg/ml, while earthworm extract inhibited growth at a minimum dose of 200μg/ml. We found that the plant's ethanol extract (L. camara) exhibited robust antimicrobial activity compared to the worm extract. Current investigation reinforces the application of Lantana camara extract to develop ointment to treat wound infections.