ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF BETEL LEAF (PIPER BETLE) AGAINST ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS: IN-VITRO STUDY

Suchithra A., Dr. Hemalatha*, Dr. L. S. Makesh Raj, Dr. Sai Krishna, Dr. Jai Santhosh Manikandan,
Dr. Nanda Kumar and Dr. Pravina Fernando

ABSTRACT

Background: The increasing interest in plant-derived medications has led to the exploration of various plants for
their therapeutic properties. Piper betle, commonly known for its culinary and medicinal uses, possesses significant
bioactive compounds that may exhibit antibacterial effects. Objective: This study aims to investigate the
antibacterial properties of methanol extract of Piper betle against Enterococcus faecalis. Materials and
Methods: Fresh Piper betle leaves were collected, cleaned, and air-dried. A methanolic extract was prepared using
a Soxhlet apparatus. Different concentrations of the extract (1 mg/ml, 10 mg/ml, 100 mg/ml, and 1000 mg/ml)
were tested for antibacterial activity using the well diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton Agar. The zone of
inhibition was measured to assess antibacterial efficacy. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the methanolic
extract of betel leaves exhibited antibacterial effects against Enterococcus faecalis.

Keywords: Piper betle, antibacterial properties, methanol extract, Enterococcus faecalis.