The trend of using natural products has increased and the active plant extracts are frequently screened for new drug discoveries .The present study deals with the screening of Cassia occidentalis roots for their antimicrobial activity against various strains of bacteria and fungi. The plant Cassia occidentalis belongs to family Caesapiniaceae, is a diffuse offensively odorous under shrub. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the extracts was performed and the zone of inhibition was studied to evaluate the plant’s antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results of MIC study revealed the antimicrobial activity of the extracts against the strains of microorganisms between concentration ranges of 25 and 450ug/ml. The results of zone of inhibition study revealed that the plant possess antimicrobial activity, more susceptible to grampositive than gram-negative bacteria in a concentration dependent manner. The present study indicates the potential usefulness of Cassia occidentalis roots in the treatment of various diseases caused by micro-organisms as mentioned in the Ayurvedic literature.
