Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity of Saponin Isolated From Solanum Xanthocarpum and Centella asiatica

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of aqueous and solvent (ethanol, methanol, acetone and ethyl acetate) extracts and saponin fraction isolated from the leaves of Solanum xanthocarpum and Centella asiatica against selected bacterial and fungal species. The antimicrobial activity was tested by agar disc diffusion and agar well diffusion method.The aqueous, ethanol, acetone and ethyl acetate extracts of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica were inhibited the growth of bacterial pathogens. The most susceptible Gram -negative bacterial pathogens were Klepsella pneumoniae (20 mm) and Escherichia coli (17mm). The saponin fraction of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica inhibited the growth of Gram positive bacterium S. aureus (21 mmand 22 mm). The antimicrobial activity exerted by the saponin fraction was higher than the aqueous and organic solvent extracts against tested pathogenic bacteria and fungi and standard antibiotics. Aspergillus fumigatus was more susceptible fungal pathogen than Aspergillus niger. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins; phytosterols and carbohydrates in both the plants. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the saponin fraction might be responsible for the antimicrobial potential of S. xanthocarpum and C. asiatica.