EVALUATION OF ANTI-BACTERIAL AND ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITIES OF BARK OF PLANT CASSIA FISTULA Linn.

This study deals with phytochemical screening and evaluation of anti-bacterial and anthelmintic activities of the bark extracts of Cassia fistula L. The extraction with different solvents - methanol, acetone, distilled water - had been carried out. The anti-bacterial assay was done against two gram +ve and two gram -ve bacteria by agar cup diffusion method. The anthelmintic activity was done on Pheretima posthuma (earthworm) by recording the paralyzing and death time under different concentrations. Methanolic extract showed the maximum activity on both fronts be it anti-bacterial or anthelmintic. The extract was effective only against gram +ve bacteria. Among Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococci faecalis, the former was more susceptible. The activity against gram -ve bacteria was not found. In case of anthelmintic activity, the concentration of 50 mg/ml was effective and near to the paralyzing and death time as recorded for the 10 mg/ml concentration of the standard Albendazole. However, aqueous extract was more effective than the acetone extract.