Abstract:  Extracts of 10 selected Chinese herb medicines (Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri, Radix Scutellariae, Fructus Forsythiae, Cortex Magnoliae officinai1s, Radix Glycytthizae, Folium Artemisiae Argyi, Ligustici Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Flos Lonicerae, Fructus Schisandrae) were tested in vitro against six different microorganisms [bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis), yeast(Saccharomyces cerevisiae)and find (Aspergillus flavu and Trichoderma viride).T he aim was to compare the antimictrobial effects of plant extracts so as to find the efficient method of extraction The results showed that the 10 plant extracts have certain antimictrobial efficacy, and their antibacterial activity is better than their antifungal activity. The extracts of Rhizoma Coptidis, Cortex Phellodendri and Radix Scutellariae exhibit the best antimicrobial activity; whereas the antimicrobial activity of the 70% aqueous methanol extracts is better than by the water extracts.

Key words: Chinese herb medicines, extract, antimicrobial activity, in vitro