Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
Extracts of leaves and stems of Chlorophytum borivilianum San and Fern (aerial parts) were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of plant secondary metabolites and in-vitro antibacterial and antifungal studies. The results of the preliminary investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroidal nucleus, saponins and tannins in both parts. The methanolic extract of leaf and stems part were investigated in vitro antimicrobial activity using agar disc diffusion technique. Six clinical strains of human pathogenic microorganisms, comprising 3 Gram positive, 1 Gram negative and 2 fungi were utilized in the studies. The leaf extract of Chlorophytum borivilianum displayed overwhelming concentration dependent antimicrobial properties, inhibiting the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, far above that of ampicillin used in the study at a concentration of 1.0 g/ml. The extract was less sensitive to the 2 Gram negative bacteria in the assay. In the antifungal assay, the growth of Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans, used were inhibited in the same manner comparable to voriconazole the reference drug included in the study. The methanol extract of stem also displayed a concentration related antibacterial activity, inhibiting the growth of S. aureus comparable to ampicillin at 1.0 g/ml. The extract was least active against Escherichia coli with a mild activity at 1.0 g/ml. The extract exhibited a weak activity against C.albicans as well as A. niger. Both plant parts seem to justify their ethnomedical uses.
