Fitoterapia 76 (2005) 473–475

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Short report

Antibacterial activity of Ludwigia adscendens

Firoj Ahmed*, M.S.T. Selim, J.A. Shilpi

Pharmacy Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh

Received 21 July 2004; accepted 26 April 2005

Abstract

Methanolic extract of whole plants of Ludwigia adscendens was studied for its antibacterial

activity. The extract showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested

except Stapylococcus aureus.

D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Ludwigia adscendens; Antibacterial activity

1. Plant

Ludwigia adscendens L. (Onagraceae), whole plant collected in November 2002 from

the district of Natore was identified in the National Herbarium of Bangladesh (Voucher

No. 29751).

2. Uses in traditional medicine and previously reported activity

The whole plant is antiseptic and used as a poultice in ulcers. Extract of leaves and stem

possess a strong antimicrobial activity and is used against various skin diseases. Flower

0367-326X/$

doi:10.1016/j.

* Correspon

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ress: firoj72@yahoo.com (F. Ahmed).

F. Ahmed et al. / Fitoterapia 76 (2005) 473–475474

petals possesses antiinflammatory activity [1]. The plant is also used as emetic, laxative,

anthelmintic and antidysenteric [2].

3. Previously isolated constituents

Leaves and stems contain flavonoids, terpenes, triterpenoids, phenols, tannins,

alkaloids and carbohydrates [3].

4. Tested material

Methanolic extract.

5. Studied activity

Antibacterial activity by disc diffusion method [4,5].

6. Used microorganisms

Listed in Table 1.

7. Results

Reported in Table 1.

Table 1

Antibacterial activity of L. adscendens methanolic extract

Bacteria Zone of inhibition (mm)

Methanol extract 500 Ag/disc Kanamycin (30 Ag/disc)

Staphylococcus aureus – 30

Staphylococcus epidermis 15 32

Streptococcus pyogenes 13 40

Escherichia coli 17 39

Salmonella typhi 20 30

Shigella boydii 18 38

Shigella dysenteriae 20 34

Shigella flexneri 15 31

Shigella sonii 17 31

Vibrio cholerae 20 30

(–): No inhibition.

F. Ahmed et al. / Fitoterapia 76 (2005) 473–475 475

8. Conclusions

The methanolic extract of L. adscendens showed a broad spectrum antibacterial activity

against all the bacteria tested except S. aureus. This result supports the traditional use of

this plant.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Mr. Hasibur Rahman, Associate Professor, Biotechnology

Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna-9208, Bangladesh.

References

[1] Selim MST. Phytochemical and pharmacological screening of Ludwigia adscendens L. B. Pharm project

report submitted to Pharmacy Discipline. Bangladesh: Khulna University; 2003. p. 16.

[2] Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. 2nd ed. Indian medicinal plants, vol. III. India7 International Book Distributors; 1987.

p. 1088.

[3] Ghani A. Medicinal plants of Bangladesh: chemical constituents and uses. Dhaka7 Asiatic Society of

Bangladesh; 1998. p. 220.

[4] Bauer AW, Kirby WMM, Sherris JC, Turck M. Am J Clin Pathol 1966;45:492.

[5] Ahmed F, Rahman GMS, Das AK. Khulna University Studies 2001;32:531.