Phytochemical screening, investigations & antimicrobial activity on the various extracts obtained from the aerial parts of Alternanthera sessilis (Joyweed) and Crepidium acuminatum (Jeevak)

Abstract

The antimicrobial activity of aerial parts of & using petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and aqueous extracts were tested against Staphylococcus capitis, Staphylococcus mutans, Pseudomonas mirabilis and Bacillus fragillis. The in vitro antibacterial activity was performed by agar disc diffusion method. The zone of inhibition was compared with the standard drug i.e. Penicillin. Petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone and ethanol extracts were effective against the entire four test microorganism used respectively when compared to standard drug penicillin. The preliminary phytochemical screening of contains alkaloids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, polyphenols, cardiac glycosides and quinones. indicated the presence of saponins, essential oils, athraquinones, sterols, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and glycosides. Quantitatively alkaloids, resins, tannins, crude fibre, saponin, phenolic, flavonoids, carbohydrate and saponins were determined by different methods.Acetone extract was more effective followed by ethanol extract as antimicrobial agents when compared to other extracts of aerial parts of & . shows antihypertensive remedy, helps to treat hepatitis, bronchitis, asthma, central –stimulating & analgesic activity. shows aphrodisiac, haemostatic, anti-diarrheal, and styptic, anti dysenteric, febrifuge, cooling and tonic activity.Total Carbohydrate and Saponin contents are calculated by standard curve methods by us ing 80% ethanol and aqueous extract correspondingly. Quantities are found to 112±1.7 (μg Glucose equivalents/ml of extract) in 80% ethanol extract and 184±1.2 (μg saponin equivalents/ml of extract) in aqueous extract. Saponin content has also been measured by double solvent gravimetric method and it is found to be 2±0.48%. Quantity of Total Fat Content, Total Alkaloid Content, Total Resin Content, Total Tannin Content and Total Crude Fibre Content were calculated.Work is under progress to reveal the chemical nature of the active constituents responsible for the antimicrobial activity & its P’cological activities reported for aerial parts of the plant.