PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION AND ANTIBACTERIAL POTENTIAL OF TRICHOSANTHES TRICUSPIDATA ROOT EXTRACTS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

Pharmaceutical Science-Pharmacognosy

Abstract

Trichosanthes tricuspidata (family: Cucurbitaceae) commonly known as Lal indrayan or shvetpushpi and found at an elevation of 1200 to 2300 m. It grows as a large climber, often attaining a height of 9-10 meters. T. tricuspidata has been widely used for curing asthma, migraine, fever, diabetic carbuncles and other maladies. The present study was aimed to do phytochemical screening and antibacterial activity of different extracts of T. tricuspidata  roots.  The  antibacterial  activity of  root  extracts  was  tested  against  Gram  positive  and  Gram negative pathogens viz. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1036), Klebisilla pneumonia (MTCC 432), Staphylococcus  aureus (MTCC 96) and Streptococcus  mutans (MTCC  497). The ethanol, 50%ethanol  and water  extracts from  mature  roots of  plant  were  screened for  their chemical constituents and  antibacterial activity.  Ethanolic  extract  showed  the  presence  of  alkaloids,  carbohydrates,  glycosides,  saponins  and triterpinoids  and  maximum antibacterial  activity against  Klebisilla pneumonia (MTCC  432) at  1mg/100ml concentration. The antibacterial potential of the plant was then compared with standard gentamycin.