Abstract:
Phytochemicals present in medicinal plants are a major source of imparting different characteristics to the plant. Antibacterial and antioxidant activity of these bioactive compounds was tested in four medicinal plants i.e. Ziziphus jujube (Unaab), Fagonia arabica (Dhamasa Booti), Mallatus phillipensis (Kameela) and Hemidesmus indicus (Ushba). Ethanol and hexane extracts of these selected medicinal plants were prepared and phytochemical analysis was done. Antibacterial activity of these extracts was performed by qualitative and quantitative methods i.e. agar well diffusion and MIC assay respectively. Plant having maximum antibacterial activity was tested for its bacterial efflux pump inhibition potential and its components were separated by TLC. Component showing antibacterial potential was subjected to GCMS analysis. Antioxidant activity of these extracts was also estimated using different methods. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various components in selected plants. Maximum antibacterial activity against gram positive strain was shown by ethanol extracts while for gram negative strain no considerable inhibition was observed by either of the extracts. Mallatus phillipensis (ethyl acetate) extract showed maximum inhibition potential and GCMS analysis indicated phthalic acid to be the component responsible for this activity. Significant antioxidant activity was also observed from Mallotus phillepensis extract. Phthalic acid, responsible for antibacterial activity of plant extract, can be used in medicine industry to treat certain bacterial infections.
