Antibacterial activity of Jatropha curcas against Isolates of Clinical Origin

The antibacterial activities of ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of Jatropha curcas leaves were observed in vitro against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae was analyzed using agar well diffusion method. The pattern of zone of inhibition varied with different plant extract, the solvent used, and the organism tested. The antibacterial activities of the methanolic extract were significantly higher (p<0.05) and the most susceptible organism was Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the lowest concentration. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) exhibited by Pseudomonasaeruginosa in the ethanolic extract and aqueous extract was 5mg/ml and 75mg/ml respectively. Jatropha curcas proved to be effective over the use of antibiotics by inhibiting the activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa which was resistant when tested with standard antibiotics. The antibacterial activity of the extract could be enhanced if the components are purified. This plant therefore holds a promise as a potential source of new drug for treating infections caused by these clinical pathogens