Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Andrographis echiodes

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of chloroform, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of whole plant Andrographis echiodes. Materials and methods: Antimicrobial activity was studied at different concentrations of the extract dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide against seven strains of bacteria, three strains of fungi and one yeast by disc diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the extracts were also determined. Results: All the extracts except aqueous posses antimicrobial activity against most of the organisms tested. The minimum inhibitory concentrations ranges from 0.05 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml on tested bacteria. Conclusion: The activities of Andrographis echiodes confirms with its folk use as remedy for fever. In addition to this use it may also be used topically for treatment of bacterial and fungal infections.