Study of some properties and antibacterial activity of (Alhagi maurorum Medik) collected from the desert of Al – Najaf

Abstract

In traditional medicine, Alhagi maurorum is one member of medicinal plants which is used for many diseases therapy, that it is used as diuretic and Kidney stones treatments. This study was founded to identify some morphological characters and antibacterial activity of methanolic extract of A. maurorum. The morphological properties studied with macro and microscopical examination while the antibacterial activity by screening with well diffusion method against Bacillus cereus and Proteus mirabilis. The results showed that the plant is shrubby herb with evergreen appearance and its leaves are small obovate shape and the polygonal epidermal cells covered with thick cuticle layer. Stomata are frequently Paracytic type in addition to a few anomocytic type with unicellular covering trichome and prismatic crystals. The plant did not showed antibacterial activity against studied bacteria ( Bacillus cereus and Proteus mirabilis ) with concentrations up to 200 mg / ml.