Yearly variation in biochemical composition, morphological aspects, and antimicrobial activities of Justicia adhatoda L. Growing wildly in Western Himalayas

Abstract

This study was done to explore yearly variation in biochemical profile and important biological properties exhibited by medicinal plant, namely, Justicia adhatoda L. The plant is well-known for its beneficial properties. Its leaves, bark, fruits, and flowers are used in treating various ailments. It is known for its bronchodilatory, expectorant, and mucolytic properties. Significant variations were observed among carbohydrate content, crown spread, and number of the primary and secondary branches. The antibacterial activity was tested against four different bacterial strains, namely, Escherichia coli (MTCC 82), Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 2453), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 39) by disk diffusion assay, and subsequently, anti-fungal activity was tested on Rosellinia necatrix (HG964402.1) and Fusarium spp. (SR2 66-9) by poisoned food technique. The leaf extracts exhibited potent inhibitory effect on the tested bacterial as well as fungal strains; however, no significant variation was observed among antimicrobial potential of the J. adhatoda L. leaf extracts.