Authors : Manisha A. Mahatale
Page Nos : 143-149
Description :
Present study reports phytochemical screening and the microbial activity of crude extracts of leaf of Phyllanthus amarus on some human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Phyllanthus amarus has been used in the traditional medicines of various cultures, including Amazonian tribes for the treatment of gallstones and kidney stones; in Ayurvedic medicine for bronchitis, anemia, diabetes; and in Malay traditional medicine for diarrhea, kidney ailments and gonorrhea. stem extracts were prepared with different solvents and tested for the presence of primary and secondary metabolites which are pharmacologically active compounds. Ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane extracts revealed the presence of more constituents including alkaloid, tannins, anthroquinones, glycosides, phenols, flavonoids etc. As many of the active ingredients in chemically manufactured drugs were originally derived from plant compounds, extracts are also used to screen the antimicrobial activity. The zone of inhibition was determined utilizing the well diffusion method. Ethanol was found to be highly sensitive against Gram positive S-aurous and gram-negative E-coli. More recently there have been preclinical and clinical studies looking into the plants supposed liver- protective abilities and effect on hepatitis B. The inhibitory activity of these extract confirmed the potential use of the plant in the treatments of microbial induced ailments.
