Objective: The present study was aimed to reveal the phytochemicals, anti bacterial activity of four Indian medicinal plants viz. Berberis aristata, Cedrus deodara, Vitex negundo and Tinospora cordifolia.
Methods: The qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out by standard biochemical assays. Thin layer chromatography of plant extracts was done by using various solvent systems under visible and uv light for characterization. Agar well diffusion method was performed to evaluate anti bacterial activity of ethanolic extract of plants against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria.
Results: The preliminary phytochemical screening of all the four selected medicinal plants reflected the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, phenols, tannins, phytosterols, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, glycosides, proteins and carbohydrates. TLC profiling of ethanolic extract of T. cordifolia and B. aristata showed presence of flavonoids (with Rf values of 0.12, 0.21, 0.36 and 0.52) and alkaloids (with Rf values of 0.3, 0.52, 0.63 and 0.64). Large zone of inhibition (12 mm) was observed with ethanolic extract of C. deodar against E. coli.
Conclusion: The study depicts that maximum numbers of phytochemicals are present in T. cordiofolia and B. aristata. C. deodar shows thehighest anti bacterial activity. The identified phytoconstituents can be used in modern medicine after pharmacological evaluation.