Phytochemical screening and evaluating in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activity of 80% methanolic Impatiens rothii root extract
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Published on: February 14, 2018
Abebe Dagne1, Aderaw Yenet2, Getnet Tadege2
1Department of Pharmacy, College of Health Science, Debre Markos University, P.O. Box 269, Debre Markos, Ethiopia. abebe_dagne@dmu.edu.et.
Abstract:
Infectious diseases result in morbidity and mortality. The demand for medicinal plants is increasing worldwide due to antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to test the plant chemicals and evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activity of an 80% methanolic Impatiens rothii root extract. The cold maceration method was employed to obtain the crude extract from the roots of Impatiens rothii. The diameter of the inhibition zone was determined by agar well diffusion, and the minimum inhibitory concentration was determined by broth microdilution. As standard drugs, ciprofloxacin and amphotericin B were used, while dimethylsulfoxide was used as a negative control. Various alkaloids, glycosides, free anthraquinones, saponins, and terpenoids were detected. Staphylococcus epidermis (MIC = 4 mg/ml, MBC = 32), Salmonella typhimurium (MIC = 3 mg/ml, MBC = 16), and Escherichia coli (MIC = 4 mg/ml, 32) were inhibited. Above 32 mg/ml, neither high nor low doses of the extract suppressed the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, or Klebsiella pneumoniae. Similarly, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were susceptible to the crude extract of Impatiens rothii. While the least antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger, with an MIC value of greater than 64 mg/ml. Therefore, this study supports the traditional uses of Impatiens rothii.
Insights
This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of Impatiens rothii root extract, finding significant antibacterial and antifungal activity against specific pathogens, supporting its traditional medicinal use.
Area of Science:
- Ethnobotany
- Pharmacognosy
- Microbiology
Background:
- Infectious diseases cause significant morbidity and mortality globally.
- Rising antimicrobial resistance necessitates the exploration of alternative treatments, increasing demand for medicinal plants.
- Impatiens rothii is traditionally used, prompting scientific investigation into its therapeutic potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of an 80% methanolic extract from Impatiens rothii roots.
- To identify phytochemical constituents present in the Impatiens rothii root extract.
- To determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extract against various microbial strains.
Main Methods:
- Crude extract obtained from Impatiens rothii roots using cold maceration.
- Antibacterial and antifungal assays performed using agar well diffusion and broth microdilution methods.
- Phytochemical screening conducted to detect alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, and anthraquinones.
Main Results:
- The extract exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli.
- Effective antifungal activity was observed against Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.
- Limited activity was noted against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the traditional medicinal applications of Impatiens rothii.
- The study highlights the potential of Impatiens rothii root extract as a source of novel antimicrobial agents.
- Further research is warranted to isolate and characterize the active compounds responsible for the observed bioactivity.
