Article

There is a pressing demand for alternative therapeutic agents made from natural sources due to the rising incidence of antibiotic resistance. A promising source of bioactive substances with possible antibacterial and antifungal qualities is found in medicinal plants. Utilizing methanol, acetone, and petroleum ether as solvents, the researchers employed agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assays to assess the extracts’ effectiveness against both bacterial pathogens (Staphylococcus species and Escherichia coli) and fungal pathogens (Candida and Aspergillus species). Results indicated that all solvent extracts demonstrated antimicrobial activity, though efficacy varied by solvent polarity, type of microorganism, and concentration. The methanol extract was particularly effective, yielding the largest zones of inhibition against Staphylococcus and significant activity against E. coli, similar to standard antibiotics. The acetone extract showed moderate effectiveness, while petroleum ether demonstrated lower inhibition, underscoring the correlation between solvent polarity and extraction of antimicrobial compounds. In conclusion, leaf extracts from Cajanus cajan, especially the methanolic fraction, have strong antibacterial qualities and could be a source of natural antimicrobial agents. To investigate their medicinal applications, more research on separation, purification, structural characterization, toxicity assessment, and mechanism of action studies is advised. In addition to providing safer and more affordable treatment options, the development of plant-based antimicrobials may help fight antimicrobial resistance.