Evaluation of the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities of the medicinal plants Dodonaea viscosa, Rumex nervosus and Rumex abyssinicus.

The crude extracts of the leaves of Dodonaea viscosa and Rumex nervosus as well as of the root of Rumex abyssinicus were tested for anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities. It was observed that the three plants possess antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus and strong activity against Coxsackie virus B3 and influenza A virus. In contrast, none of them exhibited anti-fungal activity. The anti-inflammatory activity test results verified that only R. abyssinicus inhibited the synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) E(2).