Antimicrobial Properties and Characterization of Phytoconstituents of the Leaf Extracts of Some Medicinal Plants

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to determine and compare the in-vitro antimicrobial effects of these plants phyto preparations. Materials and Methods: The leaves of O. basilicum, C. citrates, C. roseus and A. paniculata were collected from Bhopal (MP) India and leaves extract were examined to evaluate the phytoconstituents and antimicrobial activity by Agar well diffusion antimicrobial bioassay. Preliminary evaluation of the solvent fractions showed a broad spectrum of activity since the extracts inhibit the growth of both gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumonia and Enterococcus faecalis) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacterial isolates. Results: In the present study the plant parts contain levels of alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids and other phytochemical. In antimicrobial assay 100%, 75% and 25% methanolic extracts shows very potent antimicrobial agent on both gram positive E. faecalis (highest inhibition zone 3.6 mm) and gram negative bacterial isolates. The result from this study provides suitable support for the use of A. paniculata and C. rosea in the control and treatment of diabetes and use of O. basilicum, C. citrates for the control of infectious disease caused by both gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Conclusion: Among all the four investigated plants C. citrates, C. roseus and A. paniculata was found to be efficient against most of the investigated pathogens. This findings suggest that there is a potential in the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants and further study should be made in order to identify the active phytochemical constituents and on toxicity of active plant principles to determine their safety use.