Comparative Efficacy of Leaf and Root Extracts of Rumex nepalensis Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogens: An in Vitro Study

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to compare the in vitro antibacterial activity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rumex nepalensis leaves and roots against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Methods Leaves and roots were collected, shade-dried, and extracted with 80% methanol and distilled water. Phytochemical screening, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) characterization, agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays were performed against Escherichia coli ( E. coli ), Salmonella typhimurium ( S. typhimurium ), and Staphylococcus aureus (S .aureus ), using ciprofloxacin as the reference drug. Results Methanolic leaf extracts produced the largest inhibition zones (27.0–28.7 mm against S. aureus and 26.7 mm against E. coli at 125 mg/mL), often matching or exceeding ciprofloxacin. Leaf extracts showed lower MIC values (15.6–31.25 mg/mL) compared with root extracts (31.25–125 mg/mL). MBC values were generally equal to or one dilution higher than the corresponding MIC values. Conclusion Methanolic leaf extracts of Rumex nepalensis demonstrated markedly superior antibacterial activity against the tested multidrug-resistant strains compared with root extracts and aqueous extracts, supporting the plant’s potential as a natural source of antimicrobial agents.