Abstract

ASSESSMENT OF PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, TRACE METALS AND ANTIMICROBIAL EFFICACY OF HOLY PLANT EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES, SOUTHERN INDIA

R. Anbarasu*, G. Selvan, S. Baskar and V. Raja

Abstract

Medicinal plants and their extracts deserve special attention because of the important influence they have to human health. Even though there are easily contaminated with surrounding environmental factors, which have certain bioactive compounds that are act as drug against many diseases. The aim of this study was to achieve the qualitative and quantitative determination of phytochemicals and metallic elements in medicinal plant such as Evolvulus alsinoides using standard respective methods. The phytochemical screening of the crude extract revealed the presence of steroids, triterpenes, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids and tannins. Metal content in the powdered medicinal plants was in descending order: Zn > Fe > Cu > Cd > Cr = Ni = Pb. The average mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb and Zn were 0.08, BDL, 0.24, 0.29, BDL, BDL and 0.46 mg kg-1, respectively. The methanol extract of E.alsinoides were analyzed for in-vitro antimicrobial activity against certain pathogens and the zone of inhibition were compared with positive (such as Methicillin – 10 mcg and Itraconazole – 10 mcg) and negative controls (DMSO). In antimicrobial activity, the methanol extract samples against bacterial strains were most effective against Enterococcus fecalis (B2) while the smaller effect was noticed from Micrococcus luteus (B4). In fungi, the test sample was effective against Trichophyton rubrum (F4).

Keywords: Evolvulus alsinoides, Antimicrobial activity, Phytochemistry, Trace metals, Methanol extract.