Investigation of chemical constituents and antifungal activity of flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

Abstract

Phytochemical investigation of the flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Harsingar) resulted the isolation of methyl tetracosanoate, octacosane, tetrapentacontane, 3β-hydroxy olea-12-ene-28-oic acid, β-sitosterol and stigmastan-3-en-6-ol. Extract/fractions of flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis were evaluated for their antifungal activity against the two plant pathogenic fungi viz. Rhizoctonia solani & Mycogone perniciosa. The results revealed that flowers extract/ fractions of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis were found more active against Rhizoctonia solani than Mycogone perniciosa. Chloroform fraction of flowers was found highly active against both Rhizoctonia solani and Mycogone perniciosa. It showed 89.33 % growth inhibition against Rhizoctonia solani and 77.50 % growth inhibition against Mycogone perniciosa at 2000 µg/ml concentration.