Comparative Evaluation of Biological Activities, Bioautography and Spot Screening of Boiled and Macerated Extracts of Medicinal Plants against Zoonotic Pathogens

Aims: There is an escalating requirement for the development of novel drugs for the treatment of zoonotic diseases. Herbal plants have always been the best source of therapeutic agents.

Study Design: Biological activities of medicinal plants.

Place and Duration of Study: Microbial Biotechnology laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, 13100, Pakistan, between 12 Feb, 2014 and 29 June, 2015.

Methodology: In current research work biological properties of various extracts of medicinal plants i.e. Atropa acuminate, Atropa belladonna and Morus nigra were investigated. Extracts were prepared through both maceration and boiling extraction methods. Antibacterial activity against zoonotic pathogens such as Serratia odorifera, Enterobacter amnigenus, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was assessed using agar well diffusion method. DPPH free radical scavenging method was used to measure antioxidant potential. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were estimated.

Results: It was found that boiling extracts showed maximum antibacterial activity against all tested pathogens. The results of antioxidant potential revealed the maximum activity in root extracts of A. belladonna and all extracts of M. nigra while A. acuminata showed lowest scavenging activity. Phytochemical analysis indicated the existence of alkaloids, flavonoids, quinones, phenols, tannins, terpenoides, glycosides, steroids and carbohydrates. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) also mentioned the presence of phytochemical constituents. TLC- developed plates have showed the maximum presence of both antioxidant constituents and flavonoids contents in all boiling extracts of Z. armatum. Bio-autobiography by agar overlying assay indicated the significant inhibition of tested pathogens.

Conclusion: The current study provides scientific confirmation supporting the therapeutic potency of these medicinal plants for medicinal uses and identifies gaps for future research to facilitate commercial utilization.