Phytochemical and Antibacterial Studies of Aristolochia bracteolata Against Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract

Medicinal plants are alternatives to conventional treatments being used for years to treat a variety of illnesses. To combat microorganisms that are frequently proven resistant to the existing conventional drugs, alternative antimicrobial herbs with improved efficiency are required. Thus, the phytochemical and antimicrobial activities of Aristolochia bracteolata roots were evaluated using standard techniques. Phytochemicals were analyzed using chemicals, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and spectrophotometric methods. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out to reveal the functional groups present. The antibacterial potential of the medicinal plant was determined using the agar well diffusion method against Klebsiella pnuemoniae. Micro-dilution method was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and the Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins, saponnins, steroids, terpenoids and flavonoids. FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of some functional groups such as alcohol, amines, amides, alkyne, alkene, alkanes as well as ketones. The MIC of the medicinal plant ranged between 20 and 50 (mg/ml) concentrations and MBC was determined at 35mg/ml concentration. This study has revealed that Aristolochia is a potent antimicrobial that is very effective against Klebsiella pneumoniae especially. This potency is not unrelated to the strong presence of phyto-compounds in the extracts and can useful in the production of novel drugs.