Phyotochemical Properties of Acalypha indica (L), and its Antimicrobial Potential against Human Pathogens

Abstract

The present work has been investigated for important medicinal properties of Acalypha indica (L). A. indica crude extract was obtained, significant phytochemicals and antibacterial activity substance for the control of numerous antibiotic resistance bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus dysgalactiae. Antibacterial activity of A. indica was performed using the crude extract on Muller- Hinton agar with and without 5% sheep blood by the well diffusion method. We found Ethanol is the most favorable solvent for maximum amount of A. indica extract followed by Acetone, however acetone has more antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, we found Benzene and Diethyl ether are low yielding solvent for A. indica extract. A. indica extract on antimicrobial activity showed remarkable activity in S. typhi, B. cereus followed by S. epidermidis. Eight, phytochemicals tested in A. indica extract showed the existence of tannin, saponin, alkaloid, flavonoid and phenol. Petroleum ether and ethyl acetate solvent (4.2:0.8), was most optimum for the separation of more compounds by TLC analysis. In A. indica four major spots were detected, of these, two major spots were scrabbled from the TLC plates and checked for antimicrobial activity against B. cereus pathogen. B. cereus was selected based on our preliminary results, which showed significant activity among other pathogens.

Keywords

• a. indica
• antimicrobial activity
• crude extract
• human pathogens
• phytochemicals