Omar, R., Ali Rahman, Z., Latif, M.T., Lihan, T. and Adam J.H. (Eds.) Proceedings of the Regional Symposium on Environment and Natural Resources 10-11 th April 2002, Hotel Renaissance Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1: 509-515 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY AND EFFECT OF Cassia alata IN LIVERS OF MICE Elysha Nur I., Somchit M.N. and Abdul Rahim M. 1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, 1 Faculty of Veterinay Medicne, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor. ABSTRACT Crude ethanol and water extract of leaves from Cassia alata were tested in vitro against bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and in vivo to evaluate the effect of both extracts in liver cells of mice. Antibacterial activity of Cassia alata extracts on Staphylococcus aureus was detected. The water extract exhibited higher antibacterial activity than the ethanol extract from leaves (inhibition zone of 11 to 14 mm and 9 to 11 mm respectively). Escherichia coli showed resistant to both extract. Results were compared to commercial antibiotics, chloramphenicol, penicillin and aerofloxaxine, which had 19 mm, 29 mm and 22 mm respectively. Histological examination on the liver cells suggests that both extract groups contribute to mild hepatocyte degeneration. Concentrations at a higher dosage suggest the lesion was dose-dependent. Based on the current findings, it can be concluded that this plant has antibacterial activity, which is as potent as standard antibacterial drugs against certain microorganisms. The effect Cassia alata extract has on the liver of mice is dose- dependent. INTRODUCTION In developing countries, particularly in the rural areas and the urban poor, herbal medicine is-in most cases-the only form of health cares. It is in separately woven with magical religious elements and sick persons immediately turn to “someone who knows” and only as a last resort will consult a regular physician. It is estimated that fifty-six percent of low-income world’s population use herbal medicine and supplementation for their primary health care (Planta et al. 2000). Cassia alata L. (family: Leguminose) is a shrub, employed in traditional medicine in many parts of India and West Indies for the treatment of various ailments (Dymock 1980). The plant is native to Southeast Asia, Fiji, Northern Australia, Africa and Latin America (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It is known as gelenggang (Malaysia), Mbai Ni Thangi (Fiji), Ringworm bush (Australia), Ketepeng Badak (Indonesia) and Te’elango (Tonga). It grows aggressively in areas with high water table and sunlight. Often, it forms thickest and grown as ornamental (Venkataramany 1968) Decoctions of the leaves, flowers, bark and wood are used in skin diseases such as eczema, pruritis, itching and in constipation (Kirtikar and Basu, 1975). The flowers are also used in bronchitis and asthma (Chopra et al. 1956). The other uses of Cassia alata are as an antihelminthic, antibacterial, laxative, diuretic, for treatment of snakebites and uterine disorders (Kirtikar and Basu 1975).