Abstract
Objective: The objective of this study was to extract the phytochemicals from leaf and stem bark of Solanum pubescens, perform qualitative analysis, and evaluate antimicrobial activity of the phytochemicals against certain microbial pathogens.
 Methods: Leaf and stem bark of S. pubescens was subjected to phytochemical extractions using Soxhlet apparatus with five different solvents, identified the major constituents in different solvent extracts using standard protocols and investigated the potential antimicrobial activities of the extracts against certain selected bacterial and fungal pathogens by agar well diffusion method.
 Results: The maximum yield was in methanolic extracts of leaf and stem bark of the study plant such as 18.51 and 12.5%, respectively, followed by the hydroalcohol extracts (14.23 and 10.00%). Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed maximum number of extracted bioactive compounds when compared to other similar studies. Among the five different solvent extracts of S. pubescens, n-hexane extract of stem bark was found to be active against all the bacterial pathogens and stem bark extracts made with methanol and hydroalcohol showed antifungal activity against all the four fungal pathogens tested. Leaf extracts made with solvents such as n-hexane and ethyl acetate showed inhibition against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively, hydroalcohol extract was active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium while none of the leaf extracts of the study plant showed inhibition zones against fungal pathogens tested.
 Conclusion: Multiple solvent extraction approach yielded the phytochemicals which are not yet reported and the antimicrobial activities of phytochemicals acknowledged their medicinal value.
Highlights
Plants are potent source of enormous varieties of the secondary plant metabolites biosynthesized by them
In the present investigation, a comprehensive qualitative phytochemical extraction using five different solvents from the leaves and stem barks of S. pubescens was made to evaluate the ability of phytochemicals against six bacterial and four fungal pathogens that cause disease in plants and humans
The methanolic extract has maximum yield of 18.51% followed by hydroalcohol (14.23%), chloroform (9.84%), ethyl acetate (7.26%), and n-hexane (3.92%)
Summary
Plants are potent source of enormous varieties of the secondary plant metabolites biosynthesized by them. Phytochemical screening of the dried fruit materials of S. pubescens revealed the presence of carbohydrates, saponins, oils and fats, alkaloids, and flavonoids [7], it is used to treat different diseases such as headache, menstrual pain, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, ulcers [6], anticonvulsant and sedative effects [8], antibacterial activity, treatment of epilepsy, and febrile convulsions [9]. In the present investigation, a comprehensive qualitative phytochemical extraction using five different solvents from the leaves and stem barks of S. pubescens was made to evaluate the ability of phytochemicals against six bacterial and four fungal pathogens that cause disease in plants and humans. It helps us to reveal the major bioactive principle compounds, their type and antimicrobial effect
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