Abstract
Objective: To evaluate antibacterial potential and phytochemical analysis of Flacourtia indica (F. indica) root extract.
Methods: Phytochemical screening of the root extract was done to determine the phytochemicals in the methanol extract. The study included the determination of antibacterial activity by agar well diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of methanolic root extract. The antibacterial activity of the root extract was tested against selected human pathogenic bacteria. Further, the methanolic extract of F. indica was screened for the range of phytochemicals by thin layer chromatography and bioactive compound was identified using GC-MS. Results: The extract was effective on tested pathogenic bacteria and MIC values ranged between 50-200mg/ml. While the phytochemical screening of the root extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, terpenoids, glycosides and phenolic compounds.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that the root extract of F. indica possesses pharmacological activity and potential to develop natural products based pharmaceutical drugs. The result of this study justifies the use of the plant in folk medicine.
