Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoffm: a potential source for antibacterial activity

Abstract

The continuous increase in resistance to pathogenic microbes and shortage of new antimicrobial agents are a serious problem in the treatment of infectious diseases. Several studies have been done to reveal the antimicrobial agent on higher plants. However, very little attention has been given to the lower plants, especially the pteridophytes. Being a tropical island, Sri Lankan flora also has a substantial contribution to the pteridophytes. This paper presents the investigation of the antimicrobial activity of Angiopteris evecta (Forst.) Hoffm which was selected through an ethnomedicinal survey conducted in two selected areas in Sri Lanka namely Mahiyanganaya and Bulathsinghala. A. evecta is a terrestrial fern with well developed subterranean rhizome and pinnately compound large fronds.