Vol. 7, Issue 11 (2018)

Author(s):
Sudharameshwari K, Rekha I and Salini R

Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the combinatorial effect of Cardiospermum halicacabum and Butea monosperma extract for antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. Use of herbal drugs plays a vital role in the treatment of various diseases. There is evidence that the constituents of a local plant C. halicacabum and B. monosperma have several medicinal properties. In this study, the leaves of C. halicacabum and B. monosperma were shade dried and used to obtain different solvent extracts (aqueous, ethanol and methanol) of the respective plants. Light green, dark green and brown colour powders were observed in the aqueous, methanol and ethanol extract of C. halicacabum and B. monosperma respectively. This extract was evaluated for phytochemicals, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. The phytochemical screening of C. halicacabum and B. monosperma leaves (Aqueous, Ethanol, Methanol) extract revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, protein, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponin and glycosides. The number of phytoconstituents is much higher in the aqueous extract of C. halicacabum and B. monosperma leaves when compared to ethanol extract and methanol extract. So the aqueous extract is one of the best extracts to solubilize almost most of the compounds followed by ethanol extract. Antimicrobial activity of B. monosperma and C. halicacabum extracts were checked against different test organisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Protease vulgaris, Vibrio cholerae, Shigella Sp. and Citrobacteria using agar diffusion method. The aqueous extract showed maximum inhibitory action against most of the microorganisms. The combination of C. halicacabum and B. monosperma extracts act synergistically and showed maximum zone of inhibition. Hence, the combinations of these two plant extracts were found to be a good antimicrobial agent to combat disease caused by multi drug resistant pathogens.