Antimicrobial activity of the Derris elliptica, Derris indica and Derris trifoliata extractives

Various parts of Derris elliptica, Derris indica and Derris trifoliata on fractionation with a number of solvents (petrol, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol) gave fractions which demonstrated a varied level of broad spectrum antibacterial activity. Good activity was exhibited by the methanol fractions of the leaves and root heart-wood, petrol, butanol and methanol fractions of the root bark of D. indica and petrol and ethyl acetate fractions of D. trifoliata. None of the plants showed antifungal activity.