Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Capparis zeylanica stem extract

Abstract

Medicinal plants are alternative rich source of antibacterial agents. The present study was an attempt to isolate the phytoconstituents present in the ethyl acetate fraction of Capparis zeylanica and to assess in vitro antimicrobial activity of different fractions of Capparis zeylanica. Capparis zeylanica belongs to Capparidaceae, found useful in various system of medicine. It possesses numerous pharmacological and phytochemical properties. The stems are shade dried powdered and subjected to extraction and fractionation. The fractions were subjected to column chromatography followed by isolation and characterisation of active components using TLC and spectrophotometric methods. The present research lead to the separation of I²-sitosterol, I±-amyrin and kaempferol a flavonoid derivative were identified and characterized by physical methods. The methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and hydroalcoholic extracts of stems of Capparis zeylanica were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against gram+ve, gram-ve bacteria and fungi. Zone of inhibition diameters were observed. This activity was evaluated using disc diffusion method with a standard antibiotic and anti-fungal drug, penicillin and fluconazole. The antibacterial activity was not present in hexane fraction. Methanolic extract showed moderately good activity. However, highest antibacterial activity was found in Ethyl acetate fraction. The anti-fungal activity of the extract and fractions was moderately active compared to standard.