Vol. 14, Issue 12 (2025)

The current global scenario of escalating Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) among enteric bacterial pathogens underscores the need for alternative therapeutic approaches that leverage bioactive compounds from natural plant sources. In this context, the present study systematically investigated the antibacterial potential and phytochemical composition of Syzygium cumini (L.) leaf extracts against Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp. Leaf extract was obtained by using water, ethanol, methanol, acetone, and chloroform for phytochemicals detection. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed a considerable abundance of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, terpenoids, and glycosides, particularly concentrated in the methanolic and ethanolic extracts that also yielded the highest extraction efficiency. Antibacterial efficacy, evaluated by the agar well diffusion assay, demonstrated significant inhibitory activity by the methanolic extract, with inhibition zones exceeding 20 mm against all MDR isolates, indicating potent broad-spectrum action. Methanolic leaf extract showed highest antibacterial activity against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella typhimurium showed zone of inhibition 24mm. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling identified pharmacologically active constituents, notably ?-sitosterol, ?-tocopherol (vitamin E), and 9, 12, 15-octadecatrienoic acid methyl ester, compounds recognized for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The combined phytochemical and bioassay data validate the therapeutic potential of S. cumini leaves as an efficacious phytopharmacological source.