Antibacterial studies on the leaf Extract of strobilanthus kuntiana
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Antibacterial studies on the leaf Extract of strobilanthus kuntiana
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
A. Rajasekaran, S. Murugesan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Antibacterial studies on the leaf Extract of strobilanthus kuntiana
Year: 2001
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Download the PDF file of the original publication
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Strobilanthus kunthiana, a member of the Acanthaceae family, is indigenous to the western ghats of India and is noted for its absence in prior phytochemical and pharmacological studies. While previous research has isolated several compounds from related species, this study aims to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the leaf extracts of Strobilanthus kunthiana. This is particularly significant due to the traditional use of the plant's leaves in treating intermittent fevers. The study examines the antibacterial activity against various pathogenic bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus.
Effective Antibacterial Activity
The evaluation of the antibacterial potency of the leaves was conducted using the disc diffusion method on its extracts obtained through successive solvent extraction (petroleum ether, chloroform, and aqueous). The results indicated that the chloroform extract exhibited superior antibacterial activity against all gram-negative bacteria tested, as well as moderate activity against the gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. In contrast, the petroleum ether and aqueous extracts demonstrated no antibacterial effects against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlighting the specificity of the plant's antibacterial properties based on the type of extract and the bacterial strain involved.
Conclusion
The findings of this study underscore the potential of Strobilanthus kunthiana as a source of antibacterial compounds, particularly with the effective chloroform extract that displayed notable activity against common pathogenic bacteria. Given the historical usage of the plant in folk medicine, this research lays the groundwork for further investigations into its medicinal applications and encourages additional studies to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds responsible for its antibacterial effects. Overall, these results contribute to the growing body of knowledge regarding the pharmacological benefits of traditional medicinal plants.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is the main focus of the antibacterial study described?
The study evaluates the antibacterial activity of leaf extracts from Strobilanthus kunthiana against several bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, using the disc diffusion method.
What methods were used to extract the leaf extracts?
The leaf extracts were obtained using a Soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether, chloroform, and water at specific temperatures, followed by evaporation to yield a dark green waxy mass.
Which bacterial strains were tested in the study?
The antibacterial activity of the extracts was tested against Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, using nutrient agar broth for culture.
What were the key findings regarding antibacterial activity?
Chloroform extract showed significant activity against gram-negative bacteria and moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Petroleum ether and aqueous extracts had no activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for 鈥淎ntibacterial studies on the leaf Extract of strobilanthus kuntiana鈥�. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Activity:
Activity in this context refers to the effectiveness of the leaf extracts of Strobilanthus kunthiana in inhibiting bacterial growth. The study measured the antibacterial activity through the diameter of the inhibition zones formed around the discs containing the extracts, demonstrating how active these substances are against specific bacterial strains.
2) Antibiotic (Antibacterial):
Antibacterial describes the quality of a substance that helps to prevent the growth or kill bacteria. This term is central to the study, as the main focus is on evaluating this property of the leaf extracts from Strobilanthus kunthiana against various pathogenic bacteria, identifying potential medicinal uses.
3) Science (Scientific):
Science embodies the systematic study of the natural world through observation and experimentation. In this study, scientific methodologies were applied, such as the disc diffusion method, to rigorously evaluate the antibacterial properties of plant extracts, contributing to the broader scientific understanding of medicinal plants.
4) Pharmacological:
Pharmacological pertains to the study of the interactions between drugs and biological systems. In the context of this research, it involves assessing how the extracts of Strobilanthus kunthiana function as antibacterial agents, providing insights into their potential use in therapeutic applications against bacterial infections.
5) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical refers to the chemical compounds produced by plants, which may have biological activity. The study highlights a lack of existing literature on phytochemical analysis of Strobilanthus kunthiana, indicating a gap in knowledge about the specific compounds that may contribute to its observed antibacterial properties.
6) Discussion:
Discussion is where researchers interpret the findings and their implications. In this study, the discussion section reflects on the varying antibacterial activities of different extracts, compares them to known antibiotics, and considers the significance of these results for future research and potential therapeutic applications.
7) Substance:
Substance refers to a particular matter or material, in this case, the leaf extracts of Strobilanthus kunthiana being evaluated. The term is significant as it relates to the specific extracts used in the study and their respective properties, which are measured against standard antibacterial agents.
8) Palani (P膩lan墨, Pazhani):
Palani is a geographical location in India known for its biodiversity. The mention of Palani highlights the ecological context from which the Strobilanthus kunthiana leaves were sourced, indicating potential regional specificity in the plant's antibacterial properties based on local environmental conditions.
9) Water:
Water, in this study, refers to one of the solvents used for extracting the leaf compounds of Strobilanthus kunthiana. The use of water as a solvent is relevant as it may affect the extraction efficiency of phytochemicals, thereby influencing the antibacterial activity exhibited by the resulting extracts.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: 鈥�Antibacterial studies on the leaf Extract of strobilanthus kuntiana鈥�. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Fresh leaves, Antibacterial activity, Disc diffusion method, Aqueous extract, Escherichia coli, Gram positive bacteria, Gram negative bacteria, Chloroform extract, Petroleum ether extract, Activity index, Leaf extract, Phytochemical and pharmacological study, Nutrient agar broth, Natural plant.