Indian Journal of Science and Technology
DOI: 10.17485/ijst/2009/v2i3.3
Year: 2009, Volume: 2, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-4
Original Article
*L. Swarna Latha and P. Neelakanta Reddy**
*Department of Biotechnology, Sathyabama University, Chennai 600 119, India.
** Department of Bioorganic Chemical Laboratory, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai 600 020.
*Author for the correspondence:
P. Neelakanta Reddy
Department of Bioorganic Chemical Laboratory,
Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai 600 020.
The ethnomedicinal value of Spheranthus amaranthoides was investigated through phytochemical study, in vitro antibacterial- and antidiarrhoeal- activity of ethanolic extracts. The analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrate, tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids and alkaloids. The extract evinced antibacterial activity on all the tested organisms viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli at the concentration ranged from 50- 400µg/ml as assayed by disc diffusion. S. amaranthoides also caused a significant (p<0.001) castor oil induced antidiarrhoeal effect in rats. The results suggest that these activities might be due to the presence of the potent phytochemicals in the extract of Spheranthtus amaranthoides that can be used as a therapeutic agent.
Keywords: Spheranthus amaranthoides, phytochemicals, castor oil induced diarrhea
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