ABSTRACT
The antimicrobial activity of methanol and aqueous extracts of the medicinal plant Cocculus hirsutus was studied using E.coli, Vibrio cholerae, Pseudomonas fluorescence, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus ,Candida gillermontii,Tricophyton rubrum,Tricophyton tansuans,Aspergillus ochraceus,Candida albicans and Rodatrula sp as test micoorganisms.The methanol extract of the plant was found to be more effective against Vibrio cholera(18) and Staphylococcus aureus(17mm) and in the mean time the aqueous extract was found to be more effective against Vibrio cholera(13) and Klebsiella pneumonia (14mm).Both methanol and aqueous extract of this plant was found with no fungal activity against fungal pathogens. Phytochemical screening of the methanol extract of Cocculus hirsutus revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins and saponins, which suggests may be responsible for antimicrobial activity. The wound healing potencial of this plant was found to be comparably better than that of the commercial antibiotic Neomycin.