Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants extracts on Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella dysenteriae.

The antimicrobial activity of three plants extracts--Momordica charantia, Alstonia boonei, and Ocimum bacilicum on pure and viable cultures of Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi and Shigella dysenterae was examined. Cold maceration method of extraction using 95% ethanol was used for the extraction of the active constituents of the leaves. Filter paper disks which were 6 mm in diameter were used for sensitivity testing. Results showed that the extracts from the leaves of the three plants have some antimicrobial properties against the test organisms which suggest their future possible commercial therapeutic use, although this is a preliminary study.