STUDIES ON ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF APAMARGA (ACHYRANTHES ASPERA) ON MULTI-DRUG RESISTANT CLINICAL ISOLATES

Recent reports on emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria are cause of concern in medical world. Several ayurvedic drugs have been proved to contain the antimicrobial activity. Literature on effect of ayurvedic drugs on multidrug resistant bacterial pathogens is limited. Present study reports the antimicrobial effect of Achyranthes aspera (Apamarga) crude extracts on the clinical isolates of multidrug resistant bacteria. The drug was evaluated by using phytochemical tests. Crude extracts of aqueous, methanol, ethanol and chloroform was prepared. Antibacterial activity against clinically isolated multidrug resistant bacteria belonging to groups of bacillus, citrobacter, E.coli, klebsiella, proteus and salmonella was tested. The drug showed highest efficacy against Bacillus organism while least effectiveness on Proteus spp bacteria. Results of the study conclude that the medicinal plant A. aspera might be useful against multidrug resistance in pathogens of clinical importance.