Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial activity of various extracts of different species of Thevetia Remya Dev A.J., P.Neshidha Ali**,Mrs.Soumiya A.

P Pharmacognosy division,Chemists College of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Research, Varikoli,Puthencruz,Ernakulam dist.,Kerala,682308,India. remya4friends@gmail.com ABSTRACT In recent years, secondary plant metabolites (Phytochemical) ,previously with unknown pharmacological activities, have been extensively investigated as a source of medicinal agents.Thus it is anticipated that phytochemicals with adequate antibacterial efficacy will be used for the treatment of the bacterial infections. An attempt is made in the the present investigation to analyze the antimicrobial potential of two locally available species of thevetia -Thevetia peruviana &Nerium Oleander(Apocyanaceae) & to evaluate the various extracts for the maximum antimicrobial activity.The activity may be attributed to various phytochemicals-flavanoids, phenolics, polyphenols, tannins, terpenoids, and sesquiterpenes.Three plant extracts of each species was prepared using various solvents such as petroleum ether,ethylacetate & 95% alcohol selected on the basis of polarity. The dried powderd bark of these plants were extracted in soxhlet apparatus successively. The obtained extracts were concentrated to dryness,noted the %yield, then subjected to antimicrobial activity for the assessment of inhibitory effects of these plants against few medically important antibiotic resistant pathogenic microbes by in vitro disc diffusion method.The results demonstrated that, nearly all the extracts of both the plants significantly inhibited the growth of all the pathogens used in this study &in a dose dependent manner.Hence it can be described as a non-specific broad spectrum antimicrobial.Thevetia also has its use as a heart stimulant,in the treatment of congestive heart failure & posses anticancer effects.