Antibacterial and antifungal activities of leaf extracts of Phyllanthus amaru Schum and Thonn.

Abstract

The leaf extracts of Phyllanthus amarus Schum and Thonn. a common Western Nigerian weed, was investigated for phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activities. Hexane extracts demonstrated the highest extraction of 59% followed by Acetone (57%) and water (48%). Saponins, tannins, alkaloid flavonoids, balsam, anthraquinones and phenols were extracted in an acidic medium. Twelve microorganisms (8 bacterial species and 4 fungal species) were investigated for antimicrobial activities. Generally, the fungal species showed lower minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) than the bacterial species. The test organisms showed close susceptibility to the leaf extracts when compared with Bacitracin and Erythromycin. Generally, the combination of the leaf extract with either bacitracin or erythromycin alone demonstrated synergistic effect thus showing the potential benefit of combining these standard antibiotics with the leaf extracts of P. amarus for combating infections.

Anti-bacterial Activity of Crude Flavonoid Fraction from Bidens pilosa Leaves against Selected Chronic Wound Bacterial Pathogens

“…The differences in percentage yields of flavonoid fractions from B. pilosa observed could be due to different areas of growth for plant species. This was in line with findings of Senjobi et al [27]; Silivano et al [28] who reported that, plants from different geographical area may have different phytochemical components and percentage yield compositions. The yield obtained suggests that plant could be a potential source for flavonoids for further studies and drug development.…”

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Crude Extracts of Artocarpus heterophyllus Seeds against Selected Diarrhoea-Causing Superbug Bacteria

“…Sreeletha et al [ 37 ] reported the absence of flavonoids, saponins, and phenols in the hexane seed extract, and this may explain the lower antibacterial effect exhibited. Studies by Senjobi et al [ 22 ] revealed that the difference in the geographical areas and methods of plant cultivation employed across the world have a great impact on the differences in the phytochemical composition and concentration of the extracts compared to other studies.…”

“…Therefore, validating the antibacterial activity of A. heterophyllus could provide an alternative, accessible, and relatively cheap treatment of infectious diarrhoea caused by superbug bacteria [ 20 ]. Additionally, it is well known that the phytochemical composition of jackfruit varies considerably with the geographic origin and cultivation methods used and so is its antibacterial activities as reported by Senjobi et al [ 22 ]. Hence, the present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activities of Ugandan local jackfruit ( A. heterophyllus ) seeds against selected diarrhoea-causing superbug bacteria, third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli , methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus , multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa , ciprofloxacin-resistant Salmonella typhimurium , and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus that cause diarrhoea.…”

Chemical Components and Biological Activities of the Genus Phyllanthus: A Review of the Recent Literature

“…Various stable extracts, i.e., hexane (59%), acetone (57%), and water extracts (48%) were prepared, which contain many alkaloids, saponins, anthraquinones, tannins and phenolics in acidic medium. In general, combining leaf extracts with either bacitracin or erythromycin alone has synergistic effects, thus depicting the crucial advantage of such combinations of these universal antibiotics with extracts of P. amarus to treat various infections [ 107 ]. Various other studies examined the anti-microbial activities for aqueous extracts of above ground parts of P. muellerianus , and it was stated that geraniin is the major component in these extracts.…”