In vitro antimicrobial activity of plant extracts of Avicennia alba against some important pathogens

ObjectiveIn this present study antimicrobial activity of aerial parts of Avicennia alba were evaluated against the resistant pathogens belong to aquatic, human and plant origin.MethodsSoxhlet extraction method was used to get the corresponding extracts of hexane, chloroform and methanol. The antimicrobial activities of the organic solvent extracts on the various test microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi investigated using agar well diffusion technique. The length of inhibition zone was measured in millimeters from the edge of the well to the edge of the inhibition zone. Methanol and chloroform extracts exhibited promising antimicrobial activity than hexane extracts.ResultsThe zone of inhibition of chloroform varies from (9 to 17 mm) where as with methanol (11 to 28 mm) at 100 mg/ml concentration. Among all microorganisms studied Erwinia caratovara and Pseudomonas syringae showed the considerable growth inhibition with chloroform and methanolic extracts.ConclusionsA. alba can be used in the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant pathogenic microorganisms. Further studies are being carried out in order to separate the individual components that are present in plant extracts of A. alba using column chromatography.     

Comparative study of total phenolics,flavonoids contents and evaluation of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different polarities fruits crude extracts of Datura metel L.

ObjectiveTo determine the total phenolics and flavonoids and to evaluate antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of different extracts from fruits of Datura metel (D. metel).MethodsDifferent crude extracts from the fruits of D. metel were subjected to determination of total phenolics, flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities by established methods.ResutlsThe total phenolics results showed that ethyl acetate extract was the most efficient (60.26%) compared to hexane, chloroform, butanol and methanol extracts which had phenolic contents of 50.08, 35.50, 52.54 and 26.49%, respectively. Almost similar results were obtained from the fruits crude extracts for total flavonoids and results found that methanol crude extract was the highest (1.71%) compared to other crude extracts. The antioxidant activity results showed that methanol extract acted the highest activity compared to other extracts and in the order of methanol>ethyl acetate>hexane>chloroform>butanol extract. All extracts were displayed moderate antibacterial potential against the tested bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonus aeruginosa in the range of 0%–10%.ConclusionsThe results of this present study clearly showed that the crude extracts of D. metel demenstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activities and it may act as potential antioxidant sources for human biological system.     

Antibacterial activities of some Indian traditional plant extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of South Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos, and Adhatoda vasica leaves against clinical pathogens of human origin.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of different solvents crude extract of four medicinal plants used in traditional Indian medicine was tested by disc diffusion method against five bacterial pathogens: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella paratyphi and klebsiella pneumoniae.. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) was determined for evaluating the potential plant extract.ResultsThe antibacterial results showed methanol extracts (0.4 g/ml) of Ocimum gratissimum and Ocimum sanctum showed maximum zone of inhibition (30 mm and 25.5 mm, respectively) against Salmonella typhi. MIC was tested at various concentrations from 0.625 mg/ml to 0.039 mg/ml for all the plant extracts. At the lowest concentration (0.039mg/ml) tested, methanol extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed higher MIC against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella paratyphi where as the methanolic extracts of Ocimum gratissimum showed potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus at 0.078 mg/ml. Methanol extract (0.4 g/ml) of Aegle marmelos showed significant inhibitory activity of 22.5mm and MIC value of 0.156.mg/ml against E. coli strain. The Klebsiella spp was the most resistant strain of all and various concentrations Adhatoda vasica extract showed less activity against the tested pathogens.ConclusionsThe present screening result demonstrated that the Indian traditional medicinal plants Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum gratissimum, Aegle marmelos methanol leaf extract has potent antibacterial activity and the studied plants may be new source for novel antibacterial compound discovery for treating drugs resistant human pathogens.     

Evaluation of the lemongrass plant (Cymbopogon citratus) extracted in different solvents for antioxidant and antibacterial activity against human pathogens

ObjectiveTo test antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the lemongrass plant Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus) leaves extracted serially by the solvents (chloroform, methanol and water).MethodsThe plant leaves extracts were used for antibacterial activity on Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus aureus, Nocardia sp., Serratia sp., and Enterobacter aeruginosa microorganisms by the Kirby Bauer agar disc diffusion method. This study was carried out on lemongrass plant leaf extracts in different concentration of all solvents. The leaf extracts from different solvents were tested for their scavenging activity against the stable free radical DPPH in quantization using a spectrophotometric assay. Oxidative damage was induced in vitro by treating blood DNA and analyzing the effects of the leaf extracts.ResultsThe results showed that C. citratus extracts exhibited maximum zones of inhibition in chloroform, methanol and water extracts. It was Observed that the C. citratus extracts exhibited maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Analyzed data in the present work suggested that antibacterial activity of C. citratus plant leaf extracts showed good results for Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms. DPPH scavenging activity was highly elicited by the extract of C. citratus. Chloroform, methanol and water extracts of C. citratus leaves effectively decreased the extent of DNA damage.ConclusionsThe present study suggested that the lemongrass plant extracts could offer various health benefits.     

Preliminary study on the antimicrobial activity of Enicostemma littorale using different solvents

ObjectiveTo study the antimicrobial activity of Enicostemma littorale (E. littorale) using different solvents.MethodsChloroform, methanol and acetone extracts of different parts of E. littorale (leaf, stem and root) were evaluated for antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method against some gram-negative species such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pnemoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi and gram-positive species Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis and two fugal species viz., Aspergillus fumigates and Aspergillus flavus.ResultsThe chloroform extracts showed the highest antibacterial activity. Among leaf, stem and root extracts, the stem extracts showed maximum antibacterial activity. All of the used extracts had no significant antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigates and Aspergillus flavus. The chloroform stem extract showed highest activity (about 20 mm inhibition zone) against Bacillus subtilis (at 500 mg/mL) followed by the methanolic stem extract which showed highest activity against the same organism. The lowest antibacterial activity was observed by the acetone leaf extract (about 8 mm inhibition zone) against Escherichia coli.ConclusionThe findings of the study indicate littorale could also be a new source for antibiotics discovery.     

Insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum

ObjectiveTo evaluate the insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of bulb extracts of Allium sativum (A. sativum).MethodsDried bulbs of A. sativum were extracted with different solvents and evaluated for insecticidal, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.MethodsAqueous and methanol extracts showed highest insecticidal activity (mortality rate of 81% and 64% respectively) against the larvae of Spodoptera litura (S. litura) at a concentration of 1 000 ppm. With regard to antimicrobial activity, aqueous extract exhibited antibacterial activity against gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureu,) and gram negative (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia) strains and antifungal activity against Candida albicans. While methanol extract showed antimicrobial activity against all the tested micro organisms except two (Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans), the extracts of hexane, chloroform and ethyl acetate did not show any anti microbial activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration of aqueous and methanol extracts against tested bacterial and fungal strains was 100–150 μg/mL. Antioxidant activity of the bulb extracts was evaluated in terms of inhibition of free radicals by 2, 2′-diphenly-1-picrylhydrazyl. Aqueous and methanol extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activity (80%–90% of the standard).ConclusionsAntioxidant and antimicrobial activity of A. sativum against the tested organisms therefore, provides scientific basis for its utilization in traditional and folk medicine. Also, our results demonstrated the insecticidal efficacy of A. sativum against S. litura, a polyphagous insect.     

Evaluation of larvicidal activity of medicinal plant extracts against three mosquito vectors

ObjectiveTo evaluate the mosquito larvicidal activity of plant extracts.MethodsThe hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, and methanol leaf, flower and seed extracts of Abrus precatorius (A. precatorius), Croton bonplandianum (C. bonplandianum), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon), Musa paradisiaca (M. paradisiaca) and Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) were tested against fourth instar larvae of Anopheles vagus (An. vagus), Armigeres subalbatus (Ar. subalbatus) and Culex vishnui (Cx. vishnui).ResultsThe highest larval mortality was found in seed ethyl acetate extracts of A. precatorius and leaf extracts of C. bonplandianum, flower chloroform and methanol extracts of M. paradisiaca, and flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against An. vagus with LC₅₀ values of 19.31, 39.96, 35.18, 79.90 and 85.90 μg/mL; leaf ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. dactylon, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud methanol extract of S. aromaticum against Ar. subalbatus with LC₅₀ values of 21.67, 32.62, 48.90 and 78.28 μg/mL, and seed methanol of A. precatorius, flower methanol extract of M. paradisiaca, flower bud hexane extract of S. aromaticum against Cx. vishnui with LC₅₀ values of 136.84, 103.36 and 149.56 μg/mL, respectively.ConclusionsThese results suggest that the effective plant crude extracts have the potential to be used as an ideal ecofriendly approach for the control of disease vectors. This study provides the first report on the larvicidal activity of crude solvent extracts of different mosquitoes.     

Preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on a spike-moss Selaginella inaequalifolia (hook. & grev.) Spring

ObjectiveTo screen the anti-cancer spike-mosses for the presence of various bioactivities and to identify the important bioactive chemicals present in Selaginella inaequalifolia (S. inaequalifolia) (Hook. & Grev.) Spring.MethodsPreliminary phytochemical screening was done by following the method of Brindha et al. Antimicrobial study was carried out by disc diffusion method.ResultsResults of preliminary phytochemical screening on five different extracts (petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethanol and distilled water) of the spike-moss S. inaequalifolia show the presence steroids, triterpenes, phenolic group, tannin, sugars and catechin. Alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone and reducing sugar did not show any positive result. Among the five different extracts, ethanol and chloroform extracts show the presence of maximum number (4 each) of compounds. The results on antimicrobial studies show that all the three microbes [Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Candida albicans (C. albicans)] tested are resistant to the ethanol extract and susceptible to petroleum ether extract. The petroleum ether extract shows maximum inhibition with 45 mm of inhibition zone in C. albicans. The inhibition zone in S. aureus and E. coli are 26 mm and 22 mm respectively.ConclusionsThe present study shows S. inaequalifolia having potent antibacterial and anticandidal activities.     

In vitro total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of essential oil, various organic extracts from the leaves of tropical medicinal plant Tetrastigma from Sabah

ObjectiveTo detect the in vitro total phenolics, flavonoids contents and antioxidant activity of essential oil, various organic extracts from the leaves of tropical medicinal plant Tetrastigma from Sabah.MethodsThe dry powder leaves of Tetrastigma were extracted with different organic solvent such as hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol and aqueous methanol. The total phenolic and total flavonoids contents of the essential oil and various organic extracts such as hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, butanol and aqueous ethanol were determined by Folin - Ciocalteu method and the assayed antioxidant activity was determined in vitro models such as antioxidant capacity by radical scavenging activity using α, α-diphenyl- β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method.ResultsThe total phenolic contents of the essential oil and different extracts as gallic acid equivalents were found to be highest in methanol extract (386.22 mg/g) followed by ethyl acetate (190.89 mg/g), chloroform (175.89 mg/g), hexane (173.44 mg/g), and butanol extract (131.72 mg/g) and the phenolic contents not detected in essential oil. The antioxidant capacity of the essential oil and different extracts as ascorbic acid standard was in the order of methanol extract > ethyl acetate extract >chloroform> butanol > hexane extract also the antioxidant activity was not detected in essential oil.ConclusionsThe findings show that the extent of antioxidant activity of the essential oil and all extracts are in accordance with the amount of phenolics present in that extract. Leaves of Tetrastigma being rich in phenolics may provide a good source of antioxidant.     

Anti-bacterial studies on Hemigraphis colorata (Blume) H.G. Hallier and Elephantopus scaber L

ObjectiveTo examine the ethanol, aqueous, chloroform, benzene, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of, Hemigraphis colorata (H. colorata) leaves and stem and Elephantopus scaber (E. scaber) leaves, root and flower for the presence of phyto-constituents and screened the anti-bacterial activity against the selected pathogens.MethodsThe fresh materials were shade dried and powdered using the tissue blender. The dried and powered materials (50 g) were extracted successively with 200 mL of aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether by using Soxhlet extractor for 8 h at a temperature not exceeding the boiling point of the solvent. Aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts were prepared from powdered materials were used for preliminary phytochemical and antimicrobial studies using standard methods.ResultsThe crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root and H. colorata leaves and stem demonstrated that out of (5×6×12 = 360) tests for the presence or absence of the above compounds, 188 tests gave positive results and the remaining 172 gave negative results. The results of the phytochemical screening revealed that phenol (12/12), carbohydrates (9/12), steroids (8/12), saponins and coumarins (7/12), tannins (6/12), proteins (5/12), carboxylic acid and flavonoids (4/12), xanthoproteins (3/12) and alkaloids (2/12) presence in the crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts of H. colorata leaves and stem. The crude aqueous, acetone, benzene, chloroform, ethanol, and petroleum ether extracts E. scaber leaves, flower and root displayed the presence of phenol (18/18), tannin (17/18), carbohydrates (16/18), steroids (14/18), carboxylic acid and coumarins (12/18), saponins (10/18), xanthoprotein (9/18), flavonoids (7/18), protein (4/18) and alkaloids (2/18). The root ethanolic extracts of E. scaber illustrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (24 mm), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (16 mm) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (13 mm). The chlorofrom extracts of E. scaber showed the highest zone of inhibition against Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) (12 mm), The leaves ethanolic extracts of E. scaber demonstrated the highest zone of inhibition against three pathogens viz., Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) (18 mm), Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) (17 mm), Salmonella Typhi (S. typhi) (14 mm) and Enterobacter sp. (11 mm) While the benzene extracts of H. colorata demonstrated maximum zone of inhibition against the pathogen Acinetobacter sp. (14 mm) and S. aureus (12 mm).ConclusionsIt is hoped that this study would direct to the establishment of some compounds that could be used to invent new and more potent antimicrobial drugs of natural origin.     

Absence of anti fungicidal activity of few Indian medicinal plants methanolic extracts

ObjectiveThe present study was aimed at evaluating the In vitro antimicrobial activity of few Indian medicinal plants H. tiliaceus L., N.arbortristis Linn, S. rhombifolia Linn., T. procumbens Linn methanolic extracts against A. alternata, A. flavus, A. niger, M. phaseolina, R. solani using agar well diffusion technique.MethodsSoxhlet extraction method was used to get the extracts of methanol. The length of zone of inhibition was measured in millimeters from the edge of the well to the edge of the inhibition zone.ResultsIt showed zero results with H. tiliaceous, N. arbortristis with all three 100, 300, 500 mg/ml DMSO concentrations.ConclusionsVarious medical plants have been used for years in daily life to treat disease all over the world throughout the history of mankind. Plant Species H. tiliaceous and N. arbortristis may not be useful in controlling diseases against A. alternata, A. flavus, A. niger, M. phaseolina, R. solani. This study give an idea to avoid work of activity of these medicinal plants extracts on mentioned fungal for screening.     

In vitro studies on phytochemical evaluation and antimicrobial activity of Borassus flabellifer Linn against some human pathogens

ObjectiveTo detect preliminary phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of seed coat of Borassus flabellifer (B. flabellifer) against some human pathogens.MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of the organic solvent extracts of seed coat of B. flabellifer against various test microorganisms including bacteria and fungi was investigated using agar well diffusion technique.ResultsThe preliminary phytochemical screening of the aqueous, methanoic and ethanolic extracts of seed coat of B. flabellifer revealed the presence of certain phytochemicals like tannins, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. The zone of inhibition of methanolic extracts varied from 16 to 23 mm where as with ethanol extracts from 14 to 23 mm and aqueous extracts from 10 to 15 mm at 50 mg/mL concentrations. Among all tested organisms, Aspergillus brasiliensis and Bacillus subtilis showed a higher rate of inhibition with ethanolic and methanolic extracts of B. flabellifer.ConclusionsB. flabellifer exhibited higher rate of growth inhibition against some human pathogens, so it can be used for treatment of some infectious diseases. Further studies are being carried out to separate and purify the individual compounds that are present in seed coat of B. flabellifer by using various chromatographic techniques.     

Phytochemical analysis and in vitro antimicrobial activity of Illicium griffithii Hook. f. & Thoms extracts

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antimicrobial activity of hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of seeds and fruits of Illicium griffithii (I. griffithii)(Family: Schisandraceae).MethodsThe antimicrobial activity of the organic extracts were determined using disc diffusion assay against Gram-positive bacterial strains (three reference cultures and three clinical isolates), Gram-negative bacterial strains (nine reference cultures and six clinical isolates), and six fungi. The primary phytochemical and chemical compositions were analyzed using qualitative chemical analysis and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively.ResultsEthyl acetate extract of fruits was effective against most of the tested reference cultures such as Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella paratyphi, Enterococcus feacalis, Xanthomonas oryzae and Pseudomonas aerugenosa, whereas methanol extract showed activity only against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Xanthomonas oryzae. The hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of fruits were more effective against most of the clinical isolates, whereas methanol extract was effective only against Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL. The extracts of fruits and seeds did not show any significant antifungal activity against tested fungi. The presence of phenols, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponis and carbohydrates in the different extracts was established. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry studies on hexane and ethyl acetate extract of fruits resulted in the identification of 31 and 39 compounds respectively.ConclusionsPotent antibacterial phytochemicals are present in ethyl acetate extract of I. griffithii fruits. Further studies are needed to investigate activities of I. griffithii against multidrug resistant bacteria.     

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of selected medicinal plant extracts from south India against human pathogens

ObjectiveThe present study was to evaluate the antibacterial properties of 21 crude extracts from leaf and flower of Aristolochia indica (A. indica), Cassia angustifolia (C. angustifolia), leaf of Catharanthus roseus (C. roseus), Diospyros melanoxylon (D. melanoxylon), Dolichos biflorus (D. biflorus), Gymnema sylvestre (G. sylvestre) and Justicia procumbens (J. procumbens).MethodsThe ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol extract of medicinal plants were evaluated against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) and Gram-negative bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila (A. hydrophila), Enterobacter aerogenes (E. aerogenes), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) by using well diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).ResultsThe crude plant extracts demonstrated broad spectrum activity against all bacteria. The highest inhibitory zone was observed in leaf methanol extract of A. indica against E. aerogenes (25 mm), and E. coli (20 mm), flower methanol extract of C. angustifolia against B. cereus (22 mm) and leaf acetone extract of G. sylvestre against B. cereus (22mm). The MIC values of leaf methanol extract of A. indica against K. pneumonia (22.6μg/ml), and flower extract showed against E. coli (MIC: 24.2μg/ml), leaf ethyl acetate extract of C. angustifolia against K. pneumoniae (MIC: 28.4μg/ml). Acetone ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of D. melanoxylon and D. biflorus showed the lowest MIC activity value of >30 μg/ml against all tested pathogens.ConclusionThe antibacterial activity could be confirmed in most species used in traditional medicine in South India. Nevertheless, traditional knowledge might provide some leads to elucidate potential candidates for future development of new antibiotic agents.     

Mosquito repellent properties of Delonix elata (L.) gamble (Family: Fabaceae) against filariasis vector,Culex quinquefasciatus Say. (Diptera: Culicidae)

ObjectiveTo determine the repellent activity of hexane, ethyl acetate, benzene, chloroform and methanol extract of Delonix elata (D. elata) leaf and seed against Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus).MethodsEvaluation was carried out in a net cage (45 cm×30 cm×25 cm) containing 100 blood starved female mosquitoes of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Repellent activity was carried out in the laboratory conditions according to the WHO 2009 protocol. Plant crude extracts of D. elata were applied at 1.0, 2.5, and 5.0 mg/cm² separately in the exposed fore arm of study subjects. Ethanol was used as the sole control.ResultsIn this study, the applied plant crude extracts were observed to protect against mosquito bites. There were no allergic reactions experienced by the study subjects. The repellent activity of the extract was dependent on the strength of the extract. Among the tested solvents, the leaf and seed methanol extract showed the maximum efficacy. The highest concentration of 5.0 mg/cm² provided over 150 min and 120 min protection, respectively.ConclusionsCrude extracts of D. elata exhibit the potential for controlling Cx. quinquefasciatus, the mosquito vector of filariasis.     

Antibacterial activity of medicinal plant Cyclea peltata (Lam) Hooks & Thoms

ObjectiveTo investigate the antibacterial activity of Padathaali (Cyclea peltata) against three gram positive and eight gram negative bacterial strains.MethodsThe fresh whole plants were collected from Kerala, India. The dry crude nonpolar and polar extract of whole plant of C. peltata i. e. Petroleum ether, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol and aqueous extracts of five concentrations (1, 2, 5, 10 mg/ml) were used to investigate the antibacterial activity. NCCL standards were strictly followed to perform antibacterial disc susceptibility test using disc diffusion method.ResultsAll the extracts showed varying degree of inhibitory potential against all the tested bacteria. Methanol extract of plant had higher inhibitory action against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus haemolyticus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus vulgaris. Acetone extract of plant showed maximum inhibitory action against Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus haemolyticus.ConclusionsThe present investigation showed the effectiveness of crude extract of this plant against tested bacterial strains. This study further suggests the use of whole plant extract in treating disease caused by tested microbial organisms.     

The effect of extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia leaves on poultry pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of some commonly available herbs against poultry pathogens such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Pseudomonas species isolated from poultry litter.MethodsThe extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia were tested against E. coli and Pseudomonas isolated from poultry litter by the agar diffusion method.ResultsResults indicated that different plant extracts showed inhibitory effects against E. coli (8-13 mm) and Pseudomonas (6.5-13 mm). The four different extracts of Selaginella involvens and Selaginella inaequalifolia showed similar levels of antimicrobial activity on E. coli.ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternatives in the treatment of infections by these microorganisms were present in the poultry litter. Susceptibility testing is conduced on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in poultry production.     

The effect of leaves extracts of Clitoria ternatea Linn against the fish pathogens

ObjectiveTo investigate the antimicrobial activity of Clitoria ternatea(C. ternatea) against the fish pathogens viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P. aeruginosa), Escherichia coli(E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia(K. pneumonia), Bacillus subtilis(B. subtilis), Aeromonas formican(A. formicans)s, Aeromonas hydrophila(A. hydrophila) and Streptococcus agalactiae(S. agalactiae) isolated from diseased Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).MethodsThe extracts of C. ternatea was tested against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae by the agar well diffusion method.ResultsDifferent extracts of C. ternatea showed inhibitory effects against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, K. pneumonia, B. subtilis, A. formicans, A. hydrophila and S. agalactiae. Ethyl acetate extracts of C. ternatea showed maximum of zone of inhibition against A. formicans (18 mm), A. hydrophilia (19 mm), B. subtilis (19 mm) and P. aeruginosa (21 mm) next to that ethanol extract of C. ternatea showed A. formicans (18 mm) and E. coli (14 mm) followed by Acetone extract showed maximum zone of inhibition S. agalactiae (19 mm) and K. pneumonia (17 mm).ConclusionsThe antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternative in the treatment of infectious by these microorganisms was present in the fish. Susceptibility testing is conducted on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in fish production.     

Monitoring in vitro efficacy of Holarrhena antidysenterica against multidrug resistant enteropathogenic bacteria

ObjectiveTo assess antibacterial activities of leaf and bark extracts of Holarrhena antidysenterica (H. antidysenterica), used by an Indian aborigine for ailments of human gastrointestinal tract, against eight extended spectrum β-lactamase producing multidrug resistant enteropathogens.MethodsAntibacterial activities of eight solvent-extracts of the plant were monitored by the agar-well diffusion method on lawns of all bacteria. Further, minimum inhibitory concentrations and minimum bactericidal concentrations of the best three solvent extracts were determined by the micro-broth dilution method. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the active leaf and bark extracts were carried out.ResultsIt was found that Enterobacter aerogenes was resistant to 14 of 16 antibiotics, likewise, Escherichia coli to 13, Klebsiella sp. to 14, Salmonella paratyphi to 7, Salmonella typhi to 15, Shigella dysenteriae and Shigella sonnei to 14, Vibrio cholerae to 4 of 16 antibiotics. It was found that plant-extracts with petroleum ether and n-hexane had the least antibacterial activity. Extracts of leaves with chloroform, methanol, and water registered moderate antibacterial activity, whereas bark-extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol had a comparatively higher antibacterial activity on all these strains. Maximum sizes of zone of inhibition due to leaf extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone, and ethanol, and on the other hand, bark extracts with ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol were recorded against these bacteria; minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values of specifically these extracts were determined. Phytochemical analysis of the methanolic bark extract of H. antidysenterica confirmed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, reducing sugars, tannins, and flavonoids.ConclusionData analysis revealed that leaves and bark of H. antidysenterica could serve as complementary/supplementary drugs along with suitable antibiotics to control the marauding multidrug resistant enteropathogens.     

Pharmaceutical Properties of Marine Macroalgal Communities from Gulf of Mannar against Human Fungal Pathogens

ObjectiveTo evaluate the antifungal activity of seaweed extracts against human fungal pathogens.MethodsAntifungal activity of six species of marine macro algae Codium decorticatum, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Gracilaria crassa, Acanthophora spicifera, Sargassum wightii and Turbinaria conoides using different solvents acetone, methanol, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, hexane and aqueous were evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum, Fusarium udum, Fusarium solani, Rhizoctonia solani, Alternaria alternat, Botrytis cinerea, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus.ResultsFrom the investigation, the maximum activity was recorded from Phaeophyceae, Chlorophyceae and Rhodophyceae respectively. The maximum inhibition zone was noted in acetone extract of T. conoides against F. udum.ConclusionsFrom these findings, it is concluded that brown seaweed Turbinaria conoides is more effective than the green and red seaweeds.