Evidence for efficacy of Ruta graveolens: An herb of folklore fame with antimicrobial potential

Ruta graveolens is used in folk medicine as a skin cleanser for infants. In order to assess the scientific basis for its folk use, the polar and non-polar leaf extracts were tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcesans, Bacillary isolates from soil, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisae. The polar extract was found to be highly effective against all the gram positive test organisms including the yeasts. The effect however was more pronounced against gram positive bacteria. The extracts did not inhibit the growth of gram negative organisms. The extract was found to ameliorate the plasma coagulating effect of Staphylococcus aureus. The results indicated that the antimicrobial efficacy of the plant was influenced by geographical variations.