Short report Antimicrobial activity of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, Euphorbia hirta and Asystasia gangeticum M. Sudhakar a, ⁎ , Ch.V. Rao b , P.M. Rao c , D.B. Raju a , Y. Venkateswarlu d a Shri Vishnu College of Pharmacy, Vishnupur, Bhimavaram, 534 202 A.P., India b National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226 001 U.P., India c Gondar College of Medical Sciences, Gondar, Ethiopia d Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR), Hyderabad, A.P., India Received 30 December 2003; accepted 22 February 2006 Available online 30 May 2006 Abstract The ethanolic extracts of the dry fruits of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta and flowers of Asystasia gangeticum were tested for antimicrobial activity. The three plants exhibited a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity, particularly against Escherichia coli (enteropathogen), Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Caesalpinia pulcherrima; Euphorbia hirta; Asystasia gangeticum; Antimicrobial activity 1. Plants Dry fruits of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Leguminosae) and aerial parts of Euphorbia hirta (Euphorbiaceae) and flowers Asystasia gangeticum (Acanthaceae) were collected in August 2002 from the Medicinal Plant Garden of Padmabhushan Dr. B.V. Raju Foundation, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India. The taxonomical identification of the plants was done by National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Voucher specimens (SVCP-PL 101-103) were preserved in the Herbarium of Department of Pharmacognosy, Shri Vishnu College of Pharmacy, Bhimavaram. 2. Uses in traditional medicine C. pulcherrima is used in the treatment of rheumatism, skin infections and as anti-ulcerogenic. E. hirta aqueous extract is given in the treatment of dysentery and colic [1]. A decoction is used in the treatment of asthma [2], chronic bronchial infections [3] and as astringent. It is effective in treating ulcers [4]. Fitoterapia 77 (2006) 378 – 380 www.elsevier.com/locate/fitote ⁎ Corresponding author. E-mail address: muvvala1963@yahoo.co.in (M. Sudhakar). 0367-326X/$ - see front matter © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2006.02.011