Title

Phytochemical investigation and antimicrobial studies on the leaf extracts of Psoralea corylifolia Linn.

Authors

Somasundaram, T.; Chandrasekar, S. B.; Bhanumathy, M.; Vijay Amitharaj, R.

Abstract

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts from Psoralea corylifolia leaves were screened for the presence of chemically active compounds by standard methods and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity in vitro by disc diffusion method. The results revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, tannins and phenolic compounds, gums and mucilages, fixed oils and fats. Alkaloids were not detected from any of the leaves extract under study. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity against Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans. Alcoholic extract is better than that of aqueous extract of P. corylifolia leaves in respect to their antimicrobial activity and the broad spectrum of activity makes it a promising indigenous drug.

Subjects

PLANT extracts; PSORALEA; LEAVES; PHYTOCHEMICALS; ANTI-infective agents; SAPONINS; ESCHERICHIA coli; STAPHYLOCOCCUS aureus

Publication

Pharmacognosy Journal, 2010, Vol 2, Issue 5, p34

ISSN

0975-3575

Publication type

Academic Journal