ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA IN COMBINATION WITH ANTIBIOTICS, AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC GRAM- NEGATIVE BACTERIA

Abstract

Phytochemical analysis of Withania somnifera was carried out using standard techniques. The plant was specifically selected due to its reported antibacterial activity against pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria and its traditional medicinal use. Environmental samples including soil, dog food, and sewage water were collected, and bacteria were isolated using Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) culture medium. After incubation for 24–48 hrs, three Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter, and Klebsiella, were identified through morphological and biochemical characterization, with results validated using published literature. Plant extracts of W. somnifera were prepared and subjected to phytochemical screening, which confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds. Antibacterial Susceptibility Testing (AST) was then performed to compare the antibacterial activity of W. somnifera extracts with Ciprofloxacin, a standard antibiotic. The results revealed that W. somnifera exhibited inhibitory effects against the test isolates, although the degree of inhibition varied across bacterial species and extract concentrations. The comparative analysis demonstrated that while Ciprofloxacin showed strong activity, W. somnifera also possessed notable antibacterial potential, suggesting its possible role as a natural alternative in combating antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. These findings support the therapeutic value of W. somnifera and highlight its potential contribution to addressing the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance.