Pharmacognostic and Antibacterial Activity of the <em>Centaurothamnus maximus </em>leaves

Abstract

The leaves of Centaurothamnus maximus (Forssk) Wagenitz & Dittrich, an endemic Yemeni plant, were evaluated for pharmacognostic and antibacterial activities in this study. Little researches have been done to investigate this plant. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were carried out, and physicochemical parameters were established. The 80% methanolic extract of the studied leaves showed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in a well-agar diffusion assay, with inhibition zones of 17.66, 17.66, 17 and 17.33, 15.83, 16.83 mm in diameter. These results indicate that the leaves of Centaurothamnus maximus could be a useful natural antibacterial agent, and may be used for further study on the plant.