Preliminary phytochemical investigation, Antimicrobial activity and GC-MS analysis of leaf extract of Capparis zeylanica Linn.

Abstract

The traditional medicinal plant Capparis zeylanica Linn., belonging to the family Capparidaceae, common name is indian caper. The present study deals with the preliminary phytochemical screening, determination of antimicrobial activity (aqueous, acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol extract) and GC-MS analysis (methanol extract) of the leaf of Capparis zeylanica. The extracts were tested against 5 pathogenic bacteria and 5 fungal organisms were tested by agar well diffusion method at various concentrations (25–100 µl). The results revealed the presence of alkaloids, Antroquinones, flavonoids, phenol, Phlobatannins, protein, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenoids in the extracts. The leaf extracts were found to be a rich source of phytochemicals. All the extracts exhibited dose dependent antimicrobial activity, however, highest antibacterial activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone was 24.66±0.28 at 100µl, similarly highest antifungal activity was recorded against Aspergillus niger with the zone of inhibition of 14.50±0.50 at 100µl. Both the results were recorded in methanol extract of leaf provided to be more powerful antibacterial sensitivity when compared with other extracts. As per the best result of preliminary phytochemical analysis, the methanol extract was chosen for identification of major phyto-constituents by GC-MS analysis. Nineteen compounds were detected. These results indicate the methanol extract of leaf possess potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitumour, cancer preventive, antibacterial effects. Therefore, Methanol extract of Capparis zeylanica proves as a potential source of bioactive compounds of pharmacological importance.