Antibacterial properties of Carissa carandas L.

Antibacterial properties of root, stem, leaves and fruits of Carissa carandas L. were tested against five bacteria viz. Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia. For this purpose the plant extracts were prepared in various solvents with help of Soxhlet apparatus. Antibacterial activities of plant extracts were evaluated following agar well diffusion method, and it was compared with standard antibiotic drug -Ciprofloxacin. All parts of Carissa inhibited in vitro growth of all bacteria under investigation, however, the unripen fruits were found to be more effective and methanol was found to be more useful solvent for the extraction of active component.