2018, Vol. 6, Issue 6, Part C

Introduction and Aims: The roots of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Asclepiadaceae) are rich in tannins, saponin, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenolic compounds etc. It is used as tonic for nutritional disorders, diuretic for urinary problems due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of diverse active constituents present in different solvent fractions of H. indicus root i.e. {petroleum benzene (PHI), chloroform (CHI), acetone (AHI), methanol (MHI)} against the clinically isolated uropathogenic bacteria i.e. Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis.

Methodology: Clinical isolates were collected from different patients suffering from urinary tract infections. Bioactivities of the different extracts were tested using various antibacterial methods on both solid and liquid media. Different qualitative and quantitative phytochemical tests were carried out using standard method.

Results: Phytochemical analysis of the fractions showed the presence of terpenoid, steroid, alkaloid, tannin, glycoside, coumarin and saponin. Among the 3 test bacteria, S. aureus was found to be a MDR strain having resistance to 6 antibiotics (CPM, CFM, CXM, CTX, NX and GEN) and H. indicus root extract was more effective against it.

Conclusion: Our results showed that PHI, CHI, AHI and MHI can be used effectively in the treatment of multidrug resistant strains causing urine infection. However, future study can reveal the rationale behind the bactericidal activity and mode of action of the phytoconstituents present in H. indicus root extract.