The leaves of Cissampelos owariensis were investigated for both qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analyses, antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) using the following organisms: Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The pulverized leaves were extracted using hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone and methanol solvents sequentially by using sohxlet extractor. Tannins, phenols and alkaloids were estimated and it was found that tannins were the most abundant (2472.80 mg/kg). Acetone extract had the highest phenols (749.60 mg/kg) and alkaloids (316.60 mg/kg) and methanol extract had the highest tannins (2472.80 mg/kg). Hexane was not active on the test organisms, chloroform extract was not active on Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and acetone, ethyl acetate and methanol were active on all the test organisms. The highest zone of inhibition was obtained by the acetone and ethyl acetate extract (20 mm) with Escherichia coli and also 20 mm by acetone with Salmonella typhi. Methanol extract gave the least MIC of 51 mg/cm3 with Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi. Cissampelos owariensis has many medicinal uses as claimed ethno-pharmacologically and it is confirmed from the antimicrobial results obtained. However the effect of this plant on more pathogenic organisms, toxicological investigations and further purifications, needs to be carried out
Key words: Cissampelos owariensis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, ethno-pharmacology.
|
