Objectives: In this study the phytochemical composition of the methanolic leaf extracts of Kedrostis foetidissima (Jacq.) Cogn., and its antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella typhi and Vibrio cholerae were evaluated.
Methods: The antibacterial activity of the methanolic leaf extract was done by Agar Well diffusion assay. Broth dilution assay was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC). Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical analysis for the methanolic leaf extract was carried out using standard protocols. Chromatographic and GC-MS analysis of the crude leaf extracts were also carried out.
Results: Among the four test bacteria used, the methanolic leaf extract showed greater antibacterial activity on Klebsiella pneumoniae with a maximum growth inhibition of 33 mm diameter at its MIC value of 100 μg/ml. The phytochemical analysis of methanolic leaf extract confirmed the high level presence of alkaloids and flavonoids (19.85%; 21.68% respectively of the dry weight of the extract) followed by phenols (3.84%) and reducing sugars. TLC showed six different bioactive components as detected by UV and two by Iodine chamber; while GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of around 59 compounds.
Conclusion: The usage of the leaves of this plant as an effective medicine against cough, cold, asthma and other respiratory ailments in infants and adults could be due to the antibacterial activity of the leaf extract and higher quantity of alkaloids and flavonoids found in it.