Abstract

Evaluation of Growth Inhibitory Activity of Phytoconstituents of Black Myrobalan (Fruit of Terminalia Chebula Retz. ) against Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli

Author(s): R. R. Chattopadhyay, S. K. Bhattacharyya, C. Medda, A. Bag and N. K. Pal

Terminalia chebula Retz. has been extensively used in Ayurveda, Unani and Homoeopathic medicines and has become a cynosure of modern medicine. Antibacterial potential of black myrobalan (fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. ) against uropathogenic Escherichia coli has already been evaluated and reported by us. In the present study, antibacterial potential of phytoconstituents (total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids) fractionated from aqueous and ethanol extracts of black myrobalan against uropathogenic Escherichia coli was assessed by in vitro growth inhibitory assay methods. It was observed that ethanol extract of the plant material contained high concentration of phytoconstituents and exhibited more strong antibacterial potential against the test strain, when compared with its aqueous counter parts. MIC values revealed that the test strain was more susceptible towards phenolics than other phytoconstituents (flavonoids and carotenoids) evaluated. These results strongly document the beneficial effects of phenolics fractionated from ethanol extract of black myrobalan against uropathogenic Escherichia coli and reinforce the importance of ethnomedical approach as a potential source of bioactive compounds for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs).