Qualitative phytochemical analysis and antimycobacterial activity of Selaginella involvens against Mycobacterium smegmatis

Abstract

Selaginella Involvens from Selaginellaceae family is one of the two qualified species listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia that has long been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for promoting blood circulation. Numerous bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, and Selaginella have been identified in this medicinal plant with broad biological activities like antivirus, antifungal, antibacterial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Selaginella represent a type of characteristic constituent of Selaginella. So far, over one hundred Selaginella with different polyphenolic skeletons have been reported from this genus. From these some of Selaginella displays high anticancer activity. The study was conducted to detect possible phytoconstituents present in Selaginella involvens (Selaginellaceae) and investigate its antimycobacterial activity. The anti-mycobacterial activity of the extract was done using standard bacterial strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The testing was done by the agar well diffusion method. The crude extract was tested against isolated bacteria at concentrations of 4 and 8 mg. The gentamycin (80 mcg) was taken as positive control and Dimethyl sulfoxide as negative control. Zone of Inhibition of extract was compared with standard drug Gentamycin. Results indicate that 8 mg of ethyl acetate extract showed the maximum inhibitory effects against Mycobacterium smegmatis (11 mm).