Abstract Salacia oblonga Wall belonging to family Celastraceae contains vital phytoconstituents and has been used since long for the treatment of diabetes, inflammation and burn wounds. S. oblonga ethyl acetate root extract was evaluated for antibacterial activity towards drug resistant pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Further 260 nm absorbing material was estimated in the control and treated cells. Interestingly 260 nm absorbance material is higher in the Staphylococcus aureus. Further the effect of the plant extract on drug resistant pathogen S. aureus was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM results have shown that treated bacterial cells have changed in morphology, size and reduced in number. Based on these results it can be concluded that S. oblonga extract acts on membrane of the drug resistant pathogen S. aureus.