Assessment of Aristolochia bracteolata leaf extracts for its biotherapeutic potential

Abstract

The present study focuses on the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the medicinal plant

Aristolochia bracteolata. Aqueous, methanol and chloroform extracts of this plant were evaluated against the bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Shigella flexneri, Proteus vulgaris and the fungal strains like Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium notatum and Rhizopus stolonifer. Among the three extracts assessed, methanol extract was found to have the significant activity followed by the chloroform extract against certain bacteria. Water extract did not have any activity against bacteria. Antifungal activity assessment indicated that the tested fungal strains are more susceptible to aqueous extract followed by methanol extract and chloroform extract.