Studies on the Antimicrobial Activity of Heliotropium indicum Linn.

Objective: To investigate the antimicrobial activity of alcoholic extract of Heliotropium indicum. Materials and method: Antimicrobial activity was studied at concentrations of 1 μg/ml, 100μg/ml, 1 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml of the extract dissolved in propylene glycol against four strains each of Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria, three strains of fungi and two yeast by agar cup plate diffusion method. Results: The alcoholic extract of Heliotropium indicum was found to possess dose dependent antimicrobial activity in all the test organisms. Conclusion: The study lends support for the use of the plant as folklore medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases.