Mentha arvensis (L.), commonly known as menthol mint is an erect, branched perennial herb that is used to treat liver and spleen diseases, asthma, and jaundice. The ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaf and stem of Mentha arvensis (L.) were subjected to tests to determine their effect against two species of pathogenic bacteria, viz., Citrobacter freundii and Micrococcus luteus. The antibacterial activity was analysed using the disc diffusion method at different inhibitory concentrations. The results revealed that ethanol was the best extractive solvent as compared to aqueous for testing the antibacterial properties of leaf and stem extracts. Mentha arvensis (L.) extract shows strong inhibitory activity against both bacterial strains. The maximum activity was recorded against Citrobacter freundii at 12.5 mg/ml concentration with a 19.00 mm zone of inhibition, while maximum inhibition by 12.5 mg/ml ethanolic stem extract was 11 mm against Citrobacter freundii while maximum inhibition of Micrococcus luteus was 9 mm due to an ethanolic leaf extract of Mentha arvensis (L.), and 7.3 mm by 12.5 mg/ml ethanolic stem extract. The results also revealed that ethanolic leaf extract of Mentha arvensis (L.) inhibited the growth of both bacterial strains significantly as compared to stem extract. The obtained results provide support for the use of these plants in traditional medicine and suggest their further advancement in investigation.
