ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF NEEM (AZADIRACHTA INDICA A. JUSS) EXTRACTS AGAINST BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM PATIENTS WITH DENTAL CARRIES IN TAMILNADU-INDIA

Abstract

The Azadirachta indica /A.Juzz tree is reputed as possessing antimalarial, anti periodontitic, antiviral, anti allergic,anti inflammatory and amoebicidal among others. Staphylococcus aureus is a common cause of tooth infection,hence a good representative of common bacterial pathogens. Studies have been carried out on the medicinalvalue of the crude extracts of neem tree only few have been done in a hospital situation.In present study crudeextracts from leaves of Azadirachta indica A. juss (syn. Melia azadirachta) were obtained and their antibacterialactivity tested against Staphylococcus aureus isolated from dental carries patients. chloroform extract showed noinhibition zone at concentration of 50 ul, diameter of 0.75cm at 100 ul and 1cm at 150 ul; water extract hadinhibition zone diameter of 0.5cm at concentration of 50 ul, 0.6cm at 100 ul and 0.65cm at 150 ul; methanolextract had a zone of inhibition diameter of 0.25cm at concentration of 50 ul, 0.75cm at 100 ul and 1.3cm at 150 ulwas observed. There was notable inhibitory activity by all extracts. In this study we show that Azadirachta indicahas valuable medicinal value.