Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Screening of Bark Extract of Shorea robusta (Sal)

Abstract

Different parts of Shorea robusta (Sal) are being used in ancestral and ayurvedic medicines and are known to cure health ailments. The different phytochemicals present in S. robusta is known to possess antimicrobial property. The different botanical parts of this plant have been used in ayurvedic medicines to cure certain infectious diseases. The main aim of this study was to screen phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity of bark extract of S. robusta. Literatures were collected through books, journals and further additional information were collected from residents and traditional ayurvedic practitioners. The ethanolic bark extract of S. robusta was obtained through 70% ethanol in rotatory shaker for 72 hours at 37 ℃ and then the crude extract was dried, preserved and analyzed for phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity. The phytochemical screening of ethanolic extract of bark of S. robusta indicated presence of phytochemicals like, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, anthraquinone and absence of phlobatannins, terpenoids, starch and proteins. The extract of S. robusta on Staphylococcus aureus exhibited clear zone of inhibition of 21mm at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 mg/mL while on Escherichia coli exhibited clear zone of inhibition of 9 mm at MIC of 4 mg/mL. The antimicrobial activity may be conferred due to the presence of plant phytochemicals. S. robusta bark extract exhibiting significant minimum inhibitory concentration and antimicrobial activity indicates the efficacy of this plant to be considered for discovering and extracting new antimicrobial products against the pathogens. These findings need further support for appropriate formulation of the drug and its therapeutic use in clinical settings.