Abstract

ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF GLYCYRHHIZA GLABRA ROOT EXTRACTS AGAINST STAPHYLOCOCCCUS SP AND ESCHERICHIA COLI

Arti Kumari*, Prashant Kumar, Manindra Kumar and Jainendra Kumar

Abstract

Aim: Staphylococcus sp and Escherichia coli are important human pathogen. They mostly cause skin infections and gastrointestinal problems respectively. S. aureus may also cause serious infections with other illness and injury. E. coli is also a common cause of acute urinary tract infections as well as urinary tract sepsis. It is also the causative agent of neonatal meningitis, acute enteritis in humans as well as animals and is a general cause of „traveller‟s diarrhoea‟. Antibiotic resistance is also increasing and hence, there is increasing demand for the natural compound to be used as an alternative to combat infections. Glycyrrhiza glabra is commonly known as licorice. Traditionally, it is widely used in various medical preparations as antiviral, anticancer, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimalarial, antifungal, anti-bacterial, estrogenic, anti-allergenic and expectorant and anticonvulsant. This plant may be explored for the effective phytochemicals in fighting battle against these organisms. Method: The present study was carried out to characterize the bioactive constituents present in plant extract (ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extracts) of Glycyrhhiza glabra using UV- VIS spectrophotometer and traditional biochemical methods. A wavelength scan (200-600 nm) by UV- Vis spectrophotometer was performed and the characteristic peaks were detected. Different peaks (λ max) depict the presence of phytochemical constituents. Antibacterial effect of G. glabra aqueous, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts were evaluated on isolated strains of Staphylococcus sp. and E. coli by well diffusion assay. Results: Phytochemicals from G. glabra are very effective to inhibit both organisms. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of steroids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids and phenols which constitute the active ingredients of the extracts and play role in the inhibition of the bacteria. Ethyl acetate extract was found to be most effective than methanolic and aqueous extracts. Synergistic effects of the extracts were significantly positive in comparison to Streptomycin antibiotic alone.

Keywords: Glycyrrhiza glabra, FTIR, ? max. Phytochemicals, E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Uv-Vis Spectrophotometer.