African Traditional Medicine Supporters Initiative (ATHMSI), 7, Road 1, Otunmaiye Square
Abstract
Coleus aromaticus (Benth) is a commonly available medicinal herb in India. The antimicrobial activity of this herb is tested as a cure for reproductive tract infections (RTI) among women. Fresh leaf has been used as a disc in different diameters to test the antimicrobial activity, against RTI causing microbes. Candida krusei showed the highest zone of inhibition of growth, followed by Candida albicans, Proteus mirablis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis , Klebsiella pneumoniae and the least inhibition was observed for Neisseria gonohorreae. Coleus aromaticus exhibits an effective antifungal and marked antibacterial activity. Using the leaf as a disc seems to be a novel and easy method that can be used initially to access the antimicrobial activity of a herb, before proceeding for further studies. This herb seems to be an ideal choice to treat RTI infections among women