Abstract

• The plant Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. or Night jasmine belongs to the family Oleaceae. The plant is known as Seik-Phalu in Myanmar. It grows in tropical and subtropical region. The specimens were collected from Banmaw University Campus, Kachin State, during the flowering and fruiting periods. The morphological characters, preliminary phytochemical test and antimicrobial activities were studied. The plant used in traditional medicines as stomachic, carminative, intestinal astringent, expectorant, in biliousness, piles, various skin diseases and hair tonic. In morphological study, the plant was perennial small tree, quadrangular branches, opposite and decussate, simple leaves and fragrant flowers. Preliminary phytochemical test revealed the presence of alkaloid, α-amino acid, glycoside, flavonoids, reducing sugar, phenolic compound, saponin, starch, tannin and carbohydrate. The different solvent extracts were prepared for antimicrobial activities tests and their inhibitory zones were also evaluated. The antimicrobial activities were carried out by agar well diffusion method on seven types of test microorganisms. Methanol extract of leaves showed significant antimicrobial activity against Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphyloococcus aureus. Ethanol extracts of leaves showed the significance against on Bacillus pumilus and Xanthomonas oryzae. Watery extracts showed moderate activities on Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus subtilis, petroleum ether extracts exhibited against only on Bacillus subtilis and chloroform extracts of leaves showed the best activities on Candida albicans.