Abstract

An ethnomedicinal plant, Boucerosia indica (Wight & Arn.) N.E.Br was investigated for preliminary phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity. Qualitative phytochemical screening of petroleum ether, acetone, methanol and aqueous extract of the aerial part revealed the presence of various classes of phytoconstituents such as carbohydrate, aminoacids, proteins, saponin, flavonoids, steroids, phenolic compounds, tannins, terpenoids, fixed oils and fats. Bioassay of antimicrobial activity of all the extracts was tested against pathogenic bacteria like gram positive (Bacillus substilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes, Streptococcus faecalis), gram negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella paratyphi A, Salmonella typhi) and fungal organisms like Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. The methanol and aqueous aerial extract showed significant antibacterial and antifungal activities respectively against the selected pathogenic microorganism when compared to the standard drug. Based on these result, the study concludes that aerial extract of Boucerosia indica have different phytoconstituents and possesses antimicrobial effects making it a good candidate for producing antimicrobial drugs.

Keywords

Boucerosia indica, Phenolic compounds, Bioassay, Antimicrobial activity

Cite This Article

Karthik Prabu, M., Deepthi, R., & Thangapandian, V. (2014). Preliminary Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Studies on Stem Extracts of Boucerosia indica (Wight & Arn.) N.E.Br (Asclepiadaceae) - A Potent Appetite Suppressant Plant from Western Ghats of Southern India. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars(IJPRS), 3(3), 162-169.