Abstract
The crude methanol extract of the whole plant of Cestrum nocturnum L. (Solanaceae) and its
subsequent fractions were tested against various bacterial and fungal strains. With the exception of
Salmonella typhi, the tested samples showed marked antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aurous, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Shigella flexenari. The
minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranged from 19 to 280 µg/ml. The crude extract and fractions
were also susceptible to Candida species and Microsporium canis. The minimum inhibitory
concentrations (MICs) for various fungi ranged from 170 to 290 µg/ml. In phytochemical analysis, the
crude form and fractions of plant showed the presence of various phytochemical chemical groups like
glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, sterols and tannins. Therefore, the current
findings can be attributed to these groups.
Key words: Cestrum nocturnum L., antibacterial, antifungal, phytochemicals.
