SCREENING OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF CYCAS REVOLUTA FOR ISOLATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUND

ABSTRACT In the present investigation, the chloroformic and hydro-alcoholic extracts of leaves and female cones of Cycas revoluta were screened for its antimicrobial potential and in urge for isolation and characterization of the potent molecule responsible for antimicrobial potential against pathogenic and drug resistant strains. The results showed that both the leaves and female cones of Cycas revoluta are potent antimicrobial agents. It was found that chloroformic extracts of the cones was having potent antimicrobial activity in comparison to the chloroformic extracts of leaves. The studies report the isolation and characterization of a novel molecule, 2, 3-dihydro-4′-O-methyl-amentoflavone from the chloroformic extracts of leaves and female cones of the plant. The molecule was found to be promising antimicrobial agent against Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), E. coli, Salmonella abony, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, and other pathogens reported in the study. The results hereby concluded that the extracts or the molecule can be utilized in formulating new antimicrobials which can be utilized in treating several infections caused by drug resistant pathogens. However further studies are however needed to study and evaluate its broad spectrum profile and to screen other different pharmacological activities. Key words: Antimicrobial activity, Cycas revoluta, pathogenic and drug resistant strains, flavones REFERENCES Agarwal A, Singhvi IJ, Bele D, Sharma K, Gupta SK, Karwani G, Kumawat M. 2011. Evaluation of steroids in face creams of different marketed brands. International J. Pharmacy & Technology. 3(2), 2480-2486. Bylka W, Szauffer-Hajjdrych M, Matlawaska I, Goslinska O. 2004. Antimicrobial activity of isocytisoside and extracts of Aquilegia vulgaris. Letters in Applied Microbiology. 39, 93–97. Alade PI, Irobi ON. 1993. Antimicrobial activities of crude leaf extracts of Acalypha wilkensiana. Journal of Ethno pharmacology. 39, 171-174. Gaur RD. 1999 (a). Flora of the District Garhwal, North West Himalaya (with Ethnobotanical Notes), Transmedia, Srinagar, Garhwal. Gaur RD. 2004. Vegetational Diversity of Uttarakhand Himalaya and Scope of Regional Development. In Resource Appraisal, Technology Applications and Environmental Challenges in Central Himalaya, H.N.B Garhwal University, Srinagar. Harborne JB. 1993. Phytochemical method, 3rd Edition, Chapman and Hall, London. p.p. 135-203. Kilani AM. 2006. Antibacterial assessment of whole stem bark of Vitex doniana against some Enterobactriaceae. African Journal of Biotechnology. 5, 958-959. Mathur A, Dua VK, Prasad GBKS, Verma SK, Singh SK. 2011a. Phytochemical Investigation and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of some medicinally important plants. International Research Journal of Pharmacy. 2(6):116-122. Mathur A, Verma SK, Singh SK, Prasad GBKS, Dua VK. 2011b. Investigation of the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of the compound isolated from Murraya koenigii. International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology. 2(1). Mathur A, Mourya MK, Prakash A, Swami A, Singh GK. 2011c. Leaves of Cycas revoluta: Potent antimicrobial and antioxidant agent. World J. Science & Tech. 1(10), 11-20. Perez C, Anesini C. 1993. In vitro antimicrobial activity of Argentine folk medicinal plants against Salmonella typhii. Journal of Ethno pharmacology. 44: 41-46. Rawat VS, Chandhok A. 2009 (a). Medicinal plants used by tribes of Uttarakashi District of Uttarakhand. Ind. J. Bot. Res. 5(3&4): 169–173. Rawat VS, Rawat YS, Shah S. 2010 (b). Indigenous knowledge and Sustainable Development in the Tones Valley of Garhwal, Himalaya. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research. 4(19), 2043-2047. Shimpi SR and Bendre, R.S. 2005. Stability and antibacterial activity of aqueous extracts of Ocimum canum leaves. Indian Perfumer. 49(2), 225-229. Sofowora AO. 1993. Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plants in Africa. 2nd Ed., University of Life Press. 320. Trease GE, Evans WC. 1989. Pharmacogonasy, 14th Edition, Brown Publication. Usman H, Abdulrahman FI and Ladan AH. 2007. Phytochemical and antimicrobial evaluation of Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophylaceae). Growing in Nigeria. Res. J. Bio. Sci. Medwell Journals. 2(3), 244-247. Vollekova AD, Kostalova, Sochorova R. 2001. Isoquinoline Alkaloids from Mahonia aquifolium stem bark is active against