Evaluation of Anti-Microbial Activity and Proximate Composition of Alkaloids from Vitex doniana Seed

Abstract

The study investigated the in vitro anti-microbial activity of crude alkaloids from the seeds of Vitex doniana against some selected bacteria and fungal strains. Agar well diffusion method was used to test the antimicrobial activity using ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole as controls. Phytochemical and proximate analyses were carried out by standard methods. The crude extract showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins and resins in abundance. Proximate analysis indicated fat/oil (11±0.73 %), protein (0.26±0.02 %), moisture (0.21±0.01 %), ash (5.0±0.22 %) and carbohydrate (6.42±0.28 %). The antimicrobial study indicated that the crude extract was more effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MIC 3.84 mg/ml) and Salmonella typhi (MIC 3.84 mg/ml) and other Gram-positive bacteria. The crude alkaloids generally showed lower activity in case of Gram-negative (MIC Salmonella typhi 4.20 mg/ml) than in Gram-positive bacteria (MIC Staphylococcus aureus 2.52 mg/ml). Surprisingly, the crude alkaloids from the seeds, in addition to improved activity against all the bacteria strains, showed significant activity against Candida albicans (MIC 1.18 mg/mL. V. doniana seed extract was found to be potent against some clinical strains of both Gram-positive and negative bacteria but not fungi; however, its alkaloids has promising antifungal activity.

Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 20(1): 81-86, 2021 (June)