Researches have established that the extracts of certain plants exhibit antibacterial properties. The present work examines the potential of two such plants growing in Algeria having natural antibacterial properties. For the assessment of inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extracts and total alkaloids of aerial parts of Datura stramonium and Ruta graveolens against four microbial species: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the in vitro disc diffusion method was used. The results obtained showed a significant zone of lysis, and a good activity against the selected strains of microorganisms, hence leading to the conclusion that these plants would serve as sources of new antibacterial agents.

Despite the progress in conventional chemistry and the synthesis of low-cost new antibacterial agents without side effects, bacterial infections are still a threat to public health and this is due to the multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria (Mitsher et al., 1999; and Cohen, 2002). Hence, there is an urgent need for the development and discovery of new antibacterial agents. The attention has now been shifted from synthetic to natural products, and there is an increasing interest in medicinal plants in the world (Evans et al., 2002). Medicinal plants have been recognized since antiquity for their antiseptic properties, and it is well-established and proved that they display pharmacological activities with smooth action, better tolerance, and few allergic reactions (Hoareau and DaSilva, 1999; and Briskin, 2000). In this instance, the plant kingdom is undoubtedly a valuable source of new bioactive compounds. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of ethanolic extracts and total alkaloids of Datura stramonium and Ruta graveolens. Both these plants are found throughout North Algeria and are well-known for their traditional medicinal uses.

Datura stramonium and Ruta graveolens were collected from the north-east of Algeria, in August 2004. The plants were identified by the botanists of the Biology Department of Annaba University. The aerial parts of the plants were air-dried in shade for several days at room temperature, and ground and stored in glass flasks to protect them from humidity and light.

Antibacterial activity of Ethanol Extracts and Total Alkaloids of Datura stramonium and Ruta graveolens,antibacterial, plants, Datura, graveolens, stramonium, alkaloids, potential, Staphylococcus, ethanolic, strains, bacterial, Biology, bioactive, Briskin, chemistry, compounds, Department, development, discovery, diffusion, airdried, established, evaluate, aeruginosa, health, increasing, infections, inhibitory, interest, leading, kingdom, medicinal