Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous Extracts of Potentilla Reptans L. Rhizome and Aerial Part
Abstract Potentilla reptans is a little studied plant of the genus Potentilla, the family Rosaceae. The aim of this study is to determine antimicrobial effects of aqueous extracts of P. reptans aerial part and rhizome against standardized bacterial strains. The antimicrobial activity of aqueous extracts of P. reptans aerial part and rhizome was tested against one fungus, Candida albicans, and two standard bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, using an agar diffusion method. Both examined extracts showed a significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at the concentrations of 10 to 150 mg/ml. The rhizome extract showed stronger antimicrobial effect against the tested strains of bacteria than the aerial part extract. The obtained results represent preliminary results of antimicrobial activity of this plant and suggest that in future, the studies should examine antimicrobial activity against other bacterial strains and minimum inhibitory concentration.