Phytochemical Screening and in-vitro Antimicrobial Activity of Citharexylum spinosum L. (Verbenaceae)

January 2018 DOI: 10.21276/ijprhs.2018.04.19 Dhanya ShreeArbin AyeshaSaema Noorain Sahana B.K Citations Abstract Objectives: The present study was conducted to evaluate antibacterial and antifungal activity of leaf and bark extract of Citharexylum spinosum L. (Verbenaceae). Methods: Extraction of powdered leaf and bark material was carried out by maceration process. The extracts were screened for detection of phytochemicals by standard phytochemical analyses. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated by agar well diffusion and poisoned food technique, respectively. Results: Leaf extracts showed marked antibacterial activity than bark extract. Both extracts showed highest and least inhibitory activity against Bacillus cereus and Shigella flexneri, respectively. Both extracts caused >50% inhibition of mycelial growth of two seed-borne fungi viz. Aspergillus niger and Bipolaris sp. Preliminary phytochemical analysis detected the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, sterols and triterpenoids in both the extracts. Conclusions: The plant C. spinosum can be used to treat infections caused by pathogenic bacteria and to manage seed-borne fungal diseases of plants.