Antimicrobial activity of Abelmoschus moschatus leaf extracts

Hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts prepared from the leaves of Abelmoschus moschatus were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against a number of pathogens by using disc diffusion assay method. Clear zones of inhibition were reported for Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus megaterium, Shigella flexneri, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris and Cornebacterium diphtheriae. After performing a bioassay guided fractionation of the eight hexane fractions, it was revealed that the fraction exhibiting major antibacterial activity against C. diphtheriae contained terpenoid oil.