Antimicrobial evaluation of some plants used in Mexican traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Twelve methanolic plant extracts from botanical species used in traditional medicine in Morelos, México to cure infectious diseases have been subjected to a screening study to detect potential antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. The antimicrobial activity of the products was evaluated using colonies growing in solid medium, establishing the minimal concentration required to inhibit their in vitro growth (MIC). The results showed that extracts from Eucalyptus globolus Labill, Punica granatum L., Artemisia mexicana Wild., and Bocconia arborea Watt. possess strong in vitro antimicrobial activity against the tested microorganisms.