Antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extract of the aerial parts of sida acuta burm.f. (malvaceae)

Purpose: The antimicrobial activity of the 90 % ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Sida acuta Burm. F. (Malvaceae) was investigated in other to verify its claimed ethno medicinal use in the treatment ofmicrobial infections. Method: The antimicrobial activity of the extract was tested against standard strains and clinical isolates of some aerobic bacteria and a fungus using the Agar well diffusion method. Commercial antibiotics were used as positive reference standards to determine the sensitivity of the strains. Results: The extracts showed significant inhibitory activity against standard strains and clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, clinical isolates of Bacillus subtilis and Streptococcus faecalis. The MIC values obtained using the Agar-dilution test ranged from 5.0 mg/ml. – 10.0 mg/ml. Neither the concentrated extract nor its dilutions inhibited Esherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans Conclusion: The results demonstrate that the crude extract of the aerial parts of Sida acuta has a narrow spectrum of activity and suggest that it may be useful in the treatment of infections caused by Gram positive aerobic bacteria.