Thein vitroantibacterial activities of 29 traditional medicinal plants used in respiratory ailments were assessed on multidrug resistant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria isolated from the sore throat patients and two reference strains. The methanolic, n-hexane, and aqueous extracts were screened by the agar well diffusion assay. Bioactive fractions of effective extracts were identified on TLC coupled with bioautography, while their toxicity was determined using haemolytic assay against human erythrocytes. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of effective extracts was also performed. Methanolic extract of 18 plants showed antimicrobial activity against test strains.Adhatoda vasica(ZI = 17–21 mm, MIC: 7.12–62.5 μg/mL),Althaea officinalis(ZI = 16–20 mm, MIC: 15.62–31.25 μg/mL),Cordia latifolia(ZI = 16–20 mm, MIC: 12.62–62.5 μg/mL),Origanum vulgare(ZI = 20–22 mm, MIC: 3–15.62 μg/mL),Thymus vulgaris(ZI = 21–25 mm, MIC: 7.81–31.25 μg/mL), andZiziphus jujuba(ZI = 14–20 mm, MIC: 7.81–31.25 μg/mL) showed significant antibacterial activity. Alkaloid fractions ofAdhatoda vasica,Cordia latifolia, andOriganum vulgareand flavonoid fraction of theAlthaea officinalis,Origanum vulgare,Thymus Vulgaris, andZiziphus jujubaexhibited antimicrobial activity. Effective plant extracts show 0.93–0.7% erythrocyte haemolysis. The results obtained from this study provide a scientific rationale for the traditional use of these herbs and laid the basis for future studies to explore novel antimicrobial compounds.

Essential oils are produced as secondary metabolites by aromatic plants, predominantly belonging to families Apiaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, and Rutaceae. The family Rutaceae has great economic importance for its numerous edible fruits and essential oils. In the present study, essential oils of seven plants of family Rutaceae, Aegle marmelos, Murraya koenigii, Citrus reticulata Blanco, Zanthoxylum armatum, Skimmia laureola, Murraya paniculata, and Boenninghausenia albiflora, were used for their toxicological assessment. Seven groups of selected essential oils‐treated Wistar rats were established against control group (n = 5) that received water for 14 days; animals were offered feed and water ad libitum and treated with essential oils at 400 mg/kg body weight. Hematological studies revealed significant elevation in TEC in animals treated with essential oils of M. koenigii, S. laureola, and B. albiflora, while an elevation in PCV and depletion in MCV were observed in animals treated with M. paniculata and B. albiflora, respectively. Serological investigations demonstrated significant depletion in triglycerides and elevation in blood sodium level in animals treated with essential oils of A. marmelos and C. reticulata Blanco. Boenninghausenia albiflora affected many markers including RBC, MCV, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, urea, and sodium. In conclusion, all oils except B. albiflora can be considered safe for internal use.