EVALUATION OF IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITIES OF MELOCHIA CORCHORIFOLIA PLANT EXTRACTS
The present investigation highlights the antibacterial and anthelmintic activities of Melochia corchorifolia plant extracts. The shade dried plants were coarsely powdered and subjected to fractional extraction by using petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol. The extracts were subjected to invitro antibacterial and anthelmintic activities. The different concentrations of petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol extracts (50mg/ml and 100mg/ml) against Gram negative (Klebsiella pneumoniaATCC33495, Pseudomonas aeruginosATCC10662, Escherichia coliATCC10536) and Gram positive (Bacillus subtilisATCC11774, Staphylococcus aureusATCCBAA1026) using well diffusion method was observed and the results were compared with standard Gentamycin, all the extracts were found to possess significant antibacterial activity. Different concentrations of plant extracts were tested to evaluate anthelmintic activity using Pheritima posthuma (Indian earthworm). All the extracts were found to possess vermifuge and vermicidal activity with 100mg/ml concentration and the results were compared with standard drug Albendazole.