Introduction
Infectious diseases are one of the significant causes of mor- tality and morbidity in developing countries. The prevalence
of MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in noso- comial infections has been on the continuous rise and its prevalence has increased from 14.3% in 1987 to 60% in 2006.1 Recently, carbapenem resistant Gram negative bacterialsuperbugs have been reported from patients admitted in hospitals of India and Pakistan creating a major global health problem.2 Resistance to available therapeutic agents and the limited development of new agents are threatening to worsen the burden of infections and cancers that are already the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.3 To overcome the problem, knowledge about production of allelochemicals by the plants has created interest in use of plants. Higher plants, as sources of medicinal compounds, have continued to play an important role in the maintenance of human health since antiquity, especially in developing countries.Historicallydifferentherbalpreparationshavebeen used for the treatment of various types of illness in Indian medicine (Ayurvedic) system.4 Although, this approach ac- cepts the emergency use of modern drugs, but recommends the use of traditional herbal combinations and extracts to improve health, as well as to prevent microbial infections.5 Presently, 50% of all modern drugs are also of plant origin.6 Therefore, the present investigation has been carried out to evaluate the specific antibacterial potential of three Indian plants against drug resistant clinical pathogens. The plants were randomly selected from Ayurvedic system of medicine and are already known for reducing microbial infections.