ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF TRADITIONALLY USED INDIGENOUS MEDICINAL PLANT FROM LIMPOPO PROVINCE

Plant extracts have been known since antiquity to possess notable biological activity including antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Commelina benghalesis L has been used traditionally to alleviate diseases and aliments of skin. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of the plant extracts were evaluated. Four solvents (hexane, DCM, acetone and methanol) were used for preparation of extracts. TLC profiles for all the extracts did not show any compound having antioxidant activity against DPPH radical molecule. Bioautography revealed several compounds having antibacterial activity. The hexane extract had a relatively higher activity compared to other extracts. However, when quantifying the activity, DCM extract showed a better MIC values compared to other extracts