Malabar Nut Tree (Justicia adhatoda) leaf extract has a longstanding history in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda and Unani systems, where it is used to treat respiratory ailments and infections. Scientifically, several in vitro and animal studies have demonstrated that extracts from J. adhatoda leaves exhibit antibacterial activity against a range of bacterial pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The primary bioactive compound, vasicine, is believed to contribute to these effects through disruption of bacterial cell walls and inhibition of bacterial growth.

However, most of the current evidence is limited to laboratory (in vitro) and animal studies. There is a lack of robust human clinical trials specifically evaluating the efficacy of Malabar Nut Tree leaf extract in treating bacterial infections. Some studies do suggest synergistic effects when used alongside conventional antibiotics, potentially enhancing their efficacy or reducing resistance. Despite its promising antimicrobial properties, the translation to clinical practice remains to be fully validated. Nevertheless, due to its demonstrated antibacterial actions in preclinical research and long-standing traditional use, Malabar Nut Tree leaf extract is considered to have some scientific support for its use against bacterial infections, but the overall evidence strength is moderate at best.