Author(s):

Jayapriya G, Gricilda Shoba F

Abstract: Plant based natural constituents can be derived from any part of the plant like bark, leaves, fruits, flowers, roots, seeds etc. The therapeutic use of medicinal plant is becoming popular because of its inability to cause side effects and combat antibiotic resistant microorganisms. The present study provides information on phytochemical, antibacterial, antifungal and proximate analysis of petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform and methanol extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus (Linn) leaf. This has been used in folk medicine for treating liver disorders, several skin diseases and other pharmacological effects. The leaf extracts contain secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, anthraquinones, carbohydrates, flavonoids, saponins, phytosterols, triterpenoids and poly-phenols. Cardiac-glycosides were absent in all the extracts. The proximate analysis value of the present data indicated that methanol (5.60%) extract showed higher extractives values when compared to other solvents. The four crude extracts of Rhinacanthus nasutus where investigated for their potential anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. Chloroform and Ethyl acetate extracts showed anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities against all the organisms tested except Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris. Methanolic extract indicated significant activity only against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. The present study on Rhinacanthus nasutus showed high antimicrobial activities that prove their use in traditional medicine.

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