Pharmacognostic and antibacterial activity evaluation of Acacia caesia (L.) Willd

Abstract

Acacia caesia (L.) Willd has been extensively used in India as a substitute for soap and is widely acclaimed for its antibacterial properties. The aim of this study was to establish a phytochemical profile for the medicinal plant and to confirm the antibacterial property on three human pathogenic bacteria. The qualitative analysis revealed the presence of phytochemical classes such as alkaloids, Saponins, flavonoids, steroids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, coumarins, phenols, catechins, anthraquinones, quinones, terpenoids and tri-terpenoids. Quantitative estimations of three classes of phytochemical present were carried out, which indicated the presence of 0.464859mg/ml alkaloids, 1.747573mg/ml of phenols and 0.929426mg/ml flavonoids. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 21 compounds present in the methanolic extract of the stem of Acacia caesia (L.) WILLD including some known antibacterial phytochemicals such as phytol and isoeugenol. The extract exhibited antibacterial activity, comparable to that of Ciprofloxacin, against the gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.