Evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial activity of extracts from Cassia obtusifolia L. and Senna sophera (L.) Roxb against pathogenic organisms

Cassia species have been of medicinal interest due to their good therapeutic value in folk medicine. In the present study petroleum ether, ethanol and chloroform extracts from leaf and stems of Cassia obtusifolia and Senna sophera were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against some pathogenic microbes in vitro. The C. Obtusifolia leaf extracts in pet ether and chloroform showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2725mg/ml and MIC 0.2647) and ethanol extracts against A. fumigatus (MIC 0.3116mg/ml). Similarly the stem extracts of C. Obtusifolia in pet ether showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.407mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.3009mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against E. faecalis MIC 0.4946mg/ml). The leaf extracts of S. sophera in pet ether showed more sensitivity against C. albicans (MIC 0.3524mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2738mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against C. Albicans (MIC 0.4239). C. sophera stem extracts in Pet ether showed more sensitivity against E. faecalis (MIC 0.254mg/ml), ethanol extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.2987mg/ml) and chloroform extracts against E. faecalis (MIC 0.5899mg/ml). This finding provides an insight into the usage of the leaves of Cassia species in traditional treatment of wounds or burns associated with bacterial and fungal infections. However, further work is needed in the form of phytochemical screening and pharmacological activity of some more extracts before one could conclude anything definite about the therapeutic potential of these extracts.