Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities from Leaf and Stem Extracts of Clematis hedysarifolia DC. : An Ethnomedicinal Plant

Abstract

The pet ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and ethanol extracts of leaves and stems of plant Clematis hedysarifolia DC was assessed for their antimicrobial properties against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus), Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and fungi (Candida sp.). Among all the extract only pet ether extract of leaves showing antimicrobial activity against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Further the stem extracts of ethyl acetate, n-butanol and ethanol solvents only showed considerable antifungal activity. However, the petroleum ether extract of stem showed highest antimicrobial activity against all the bacteria and fungi. Among all the solvents, the petroleum ether extract showed highest antimicrobial activity indicating the release of most of the bioactive substances dissolved in the solvent. The inhibition of both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria and fungi indicated the presence of broad spectrum antimicrobial substances in the stem pet ether extracts and only inhibition of gram positive bacteria in case of pet ether extract of leaves.