ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF LAWSONIA INERMIS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Natural medicine has been the main source of primary healthcare all over the world. Since ancient times, plants have been used as a rich source of effective and safe medicines. Lawsonia inermis has efficacy on skin disease. Leaves of Lawsonia inermis provide an important cosmetic dye. Henna leaves were extensively used for centuries in the Middle East, the Far East and Northern Africa as dye for nails, hands, hair and textile. Lawsonia inermis contained 2- hydroxyl - 1,4-naphthoquinone (lawsone). Properties of Lawsonia inermis include antimicrobial, antifungal, antitumor, antiangiogenic, larvicidal, antileishmanial, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic characteristics. In this study the antibacterial activity of the leaf extract of Lawsonia inermis on Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Zone of Inhibition was observed. Lawsonia inermis leaves extract containing test disk inhibited growth of pathogenic bacteria. Test disk containing 250 µg, 500 µg and 1000 µg showed 11mm, 14mm and 18 mm zone of inhibition against E. coli. 8 mm, 11mm and 13 mm zone of inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus. 7 mm, 9mm and 12 mm zone of inhibition against Streptococcus pyogenes. Whereas 30 µg Amikacin containing standard antibiotic disk showed 14 mm, 12 mm and 10 mm zone of inhibition against E. coli, S. aureus and S. pyogenes. This research concluded that Lawsonia inermis leaves extract contain antimicrobial properties. The formulation of Lawsonia inermis leaves extract as a natural source for the development of drugs.