PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF HYGROPHILA SCHULLI

Manisha U. Mishra*, Nitin H. Indurwade, Shubham R. Ukey, Rahul Chaurasia, Sanket S. Murmurwar

ABSTRACT

Hygrophila Schulliis an important plant described in Indian Ayurvedic literature. The main objective of the present study was to carry out preliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of antibacterial activity of H.schulli collected from local areas of Gondia city, Maharashtra State, India. The plant material was identified and fresh leaves were collected. The dried leaf powder was extracted by hydro-alcoholic solvent extraction method using Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was qualitatively analyzed for presence of active phytochemicals prior to study of the antibacterial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration. The extracts containing different concentrations of H.schulli were investigated against clinically effective bacterial pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Escheria coli. Streptomycin powder was used as a standard drug for analyzing antibacterial activity. The highest inhibition zone of 20 mm was observed against Bacillus subtilis with plant extract in the concentration of 100μg/ml. The results revealed that the hydroalcoholic extract of H.schulli possesses antibacterial potential as reported in earlier investigations and have the potential in the treatment of bacterial infections. Further the studies were extended to formulate a cream containing hydroalcoholic extract of H.schulli for topical application and its evaluation. It was found that the hydroalcoholic extract of H.schulli can be formulated as cream and used for topical application.

Keywords: Hygrophilliaschulli, Hydroalcoholic extraction, Leaf extract, Antibacterial activity, Minimum inhibitory concentration, Cream formulation.