ArticlePDF Available

Phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr

Authors:

Abstract and Figures

Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. is an erect, branched small tree up to 6 m tall with soft wood and paripinnate leaves. Flowers are yellow with brown streaks on the corolla. Fruits are sub cylindrical and shortly beaked. Seeds are green or brown and usually mottled. The plant is used as astringent, anti-inflammatory, carminative, demulcent, anthelmintic and antimicrobial. The phytochemical analysis of the methanol and ethanol extracts of both stem and root of Sesbania sesban revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, phytosterol, phenol, flavonoids, fixed oil and gum. The leaf extract showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, phytosterol, flavonoids and fixed oil. In vitro biological screening effects of the methanol stem extract was tested against ten bacterial species and five fungal species. Highly significant activity was observed against the bacteria Erwinia amylovora followed by Escherichia coli. In the case of fungi Curvularia lunata and Fusarium oxysporum were inhibited completely.
Content may be subject to copyright.
Research Article
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF SESBANIA SESBAN (L.)
MERR.
T. MYTHILI1* AND R. RAVINDHRAN2
1 Department of Plant Biology and Plant Biotechnology, Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai-8, 2 Department of Plant Biology and
Biotechnology, Loyola College, Chennai-34.Email: mythili22.t@gmail.com
Received:2 August 2012, Revised and Accepted:7 September 2012
ABSTRACT
Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. is an erect, branched small tree up to 6 m tall with soft wood and paripinnate leaves. Flowers are yellow with brown
streaks on the corolla. Fruits are sub cylindrical and shortly beaked. Seeds are green or brown and usually mottled. The plan t is used as astringent,
anti-inflammatory, carminative, demulcent, anthelmintic and antimicrobial. The phytochemical analysis of the methanol and ethanol extracts of
both stem and root of Sesbania sesban revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, phytosterol, phenol, flavonoids, fixed oil and gum.
The leaf extract showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, phytosterol, flavonoids and fixed oil. In vitro biological screening effects
of the methanol stem extract was tested against ten bacterial species and five fungal species. Highly significant activity was observed against the
bacteria Erwinia amylovora followed by Escherichia coli. In the case of fungi Curvularia lunata and Fusarium oxysporum were inhibited completely.
Keywords: Sesbania sesban, alkaloids, phytosterol, phenol, flavonoids, methanol stem extract.
INTRODUCTION
Medicinal plants are nature’s gift to human beings for disease free
healthy life. In India, different parts of several medicinal plants or
their extracts are used for the treatment of various diseases. More
than a hundred species of therapeutically important higher plants
are listed and described in ancient Indian treatise possessing
antimicrobial activity1.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), traditional
medicine is estimated to be used by 80% of the population of most
developing countries. These plant-based medicines are used for
primary health care needs2. Although plants are unique in their
activities, it has also been found that a particular plant may be used
by different tribes or countries for different ailments. This shows
that plants possess a wide range of healing powers which are
attributed to their chemical composition. Despite the wealth of
human experience and folklore concerning the medicinal uses of
plants, proper scientific investigation has only been applied to a
small fraction of the world's plants3. Tamil Nadu is under strategic
geographical location and possesses an invaluable treasure of herbal
medicinal plants holding a major share in cultivation and export of
more than fifty medicinal plants species. Medicinal plants are
cultivated in Tamil Nadu in isolated patches each being grown in
favourable soil and agro climatic region4.
The medicinal value of plants lies in some chemical substances or
group of compounds that produce a definite physiological action in
the human body. These chemical substances are called secondary
metabolites. The most important of these bioactive groups of plants
are alkaloids, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic
compounds5.
Sesbania sesban Linn. is a soft, slightly woody, 1-6 m tall perennial
nitrogen fixing small tree. The leaves are compound 12-18 cm long
made up of 6-27 pairs of leaflets. The raceme has 2-20 flowers which
are yellow with purple or brown streaks on the corolla. Pods are
subcylindrical, straight or slightly curved up to 30 cm long and 5 mm
wide containing 10- 50 seeds. The plant is used as carminative,
anthelmintic, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial,
antifertility, demulcent and purgative. It is also given as a medicine
against fever, ulcers etc.,6
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant materials
Different plant parts (leaf, stem and root) of S.sesban were collected
and the authenticity of the plant was confirmed by the Botanical
Survey of India, Coimbatore, India.
Preparation of extracts
The plants were cleaned, washed, shade dried and powdered for the
phytochemical study. The parts used were leaf, stem and root.
Extraction of the plant parts were done with different solvents based
on the polarity of the solvents. The solvents used were hexane,
chloroform, methanol, ethanol and water. The extract of the leaf,
stem and root were obtained through the cold percolation method.
The powdered plant material was weighed and then soaked in
hexane for 72 hrs. Then the extract was taken by filtering the
content. The same procedure was repeated again and the extract
was collected. The extracts were pooled together and concentrated
on a water bath by keeping the temperature below the boiling point
of the solvent used. The concentrated extract was kept in the
desiccator for further evaporation of the solvent. Then the extract
was weighed and the yield was recorded. The same procedure was
repeated for all the solvents. The extracts taken were used for
further phytochemical analyses of the plant. The standard
qualitative phytochemical tests given for the respective compounds
were performed.
Qualitative phytochemical analysis
The concentrated extracts were subjected to qualitative test for the
identification of various phytochemical constituents as per standard
procedures7, 8, 9, 10. Based on the results obtained in the qualitative
phytochemical analysis, the methanol extract of the stem was taken
for antimicrobial study.
Antibacterial assay
The antibacterial assay was performed by agar well diffusion
method. The nutrient agar was inoculated with 100 μl of the
inoculum (106 CFU/ml) and poured into the Petri plate. A well was
prepared in the plates with the help of a cork-borer (6 mm). About
50 μl of the extract (100, 250 and 500 µg/ml) was dispensed into the
well. The flavonoid quercetin 100 µg/ml was used as the standard.
The plates were incubated overnight at 37ºC. For each bacterial
strain, bacitracin 100 µg/ml as positive control and pure solvent
(methanol) as the negative control were maintained. The diameters
of the inhibition zones were measured in mm. The bacterial species
used were Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli
(ATCC 25922), Salmonella typhi (MTCC 733), Enterococcus faecalis
(ATCC 29212), Erwinia amylovora (MTCC 2760), Proteus vulgaris
(MTCC 1771), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 424), Klebsiella
pneumoniae (ATCC 15380), Shigella dysenteriae (MTCC 5151) and
Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 441).
Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research
Vol 5, Issue 4, 2012 ISSN - 0974-2441
Vol. 4, Issue 3, 2011
ISSN - 0974-2441
Academic Sciences
Mythili et al.
Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 5, Issue 4, 2012, 179-182
180
sAntifungal activity
The antifungal activity was performed by Poison plate method.
Different concentrations (100, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml) of the
methanol extract was added to the potato dextrose agar and poured
into the petriplate. The flavonoid quercetin 100 µg/ml was used as
the standard. Carbendazim 100 µg/ml was used as positive control
and pure solvent (methanol) as the negative control. A disc (6 mm in
diameter) of actively growing mycelium of the test fungi was
obtained using a sterile cork borer. These fungal discs were placed
on the potato dextrose agar which was mixed with the extract. The
plates were maintained at a temperature of 28±2°C. After 48 hrs, the
plates were observed and the diameter of the fungal growth was
measured. The zone of inhibition was measured for pathogenicity of
the extract. Fungal species taken for study were Aspergillus
fumigatus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Curvularia lunata,
Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium glaucum.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The phytochemical test of the crude methanol and ethanol extracts
of both stem and root of Sesbania sesban revealed the presence of
alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, phytosterol, phenol, flavonoids,
fixed oil and gum. Saponin was found only in the aqueous extract of
the plant. These metabolites are similar to those found in F.
sycomorus11, 12. The alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids are known to
have curative activity against several pathogens and therefore could
be used for the treatment of various illnesses13, 14.
Table 1: Qualitative Phytochemical analysis of Sesbania sesban
Tests
Leaf
Stem
Root
H
M
E
A
H
C
M
E
A
H
C
M
E
A
Alkaloids
Carbohydrates
Protein
Phytosterol
Phenol
Flavonoids
Saponin
Fixed Oil
Gum
+
+
++
++
+
++
++
+
+
+
++
++
++
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
-
-
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
+
-
-
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
H- hexane, C- chloroform, M- methanol, E- ethanol, A- aqueous
++ = strong, + = present, - = absent
Table 2: Antibacterial activity of methanol stem extract of Sesbania sesban (in mm)
Bacteria
Extract
100 µg/ml
Extract
250 µg/ml
Extract
500 µg/ml
Extract
1000 µg/ml
Quercetin 100 µg/ml
Bacitracin 100 µg/ml
B.subtilis
8.75±0.43
9.25±0.43
15.5±0.50
9.75±1.0
15.0±0.71
8.75±0.43
E.coli
8.5±0.50
16.0±1.0
9.25±0.43
9.0
12.25±1.48
8.75±0.43
E.faecalis
9.25±0.43
12.75±0.43
9.0
-
12.25±0.43
-
E.amylovora
11.25±1.48
17.25±1.30
-
9.75±1.30
15.25±0.83
9.75±0.83
P.vulgaris
-
-
-
-
-
-
P.aeruginosa
8.25±0.43
7.5±1.12
9.5±0.87
7.5±0.50
12.25±0.43
9.0±0.71
K.pneumoniae
8.5±1.30
-
8.0±1.30
-
19.25±0.83
9.0
S.typhi
-
-
-
-
14.25±0.83
-
S.dysenteriae
-
-
10.25±1.30
10.0±2.0
10.0±1.0
10.0±1.0
S.aureus
9.5±0.50
13.0±0.71
8.5±0.50
-
14.25±0.83
9.5±0.87
Values are mean inhibition zone (mm) ± S.D of four replicates
Table 3 : Antifungal activity of methanol stem extract of Sesbania sesban (in mm)
Fungi
Extract
100 µg/ml
Extract
250 µg/ml
Extract
500 µg/ml
Extract
1000 µg/ml
Quercetin 100 µg/ml
Carbendazim 100 µg/ml
Aspergillus fumigatus
-
-
10.5±5.76
-
27.75±5.49
27.75±5.49
Colletotrichum gloeosporioides
10.75±6.09
-
11.0±5.09
9.25±6.37
14.25±5.11
19.75±5.58
Curvularia lunata
12.75±3.63
10.5±4.03
18.75±2.94
15.75±2.48
18.75±2.94
18.75±2.94
Fusarium oxysporum
23.25±5.62
13.75±5.53
23.25±5.62
23.25±5.62
23.25±5.62
23.25±5.62
Verticillium glaucum
10.5±2.17
-
14.75±2.16
2.5±0.5
29.75±1.08
31.75±1.63
Values are mean (mm) ± S.D of four replicates
Phytochemical analysis is the characterization of an active principle
responsible for some toxic or beneficial effect shown by a crude
plant extract. Alkaloids are heterogeneous group compounds which
contain one or more nitrogen atom in acyclic system. These are
widely used for medicinal purposes and have positive or negative
effects to human beings15. Alkaloids are reported to have analgesic,
anti-inflammatory function and help to alleviate pain, develop
resistance against diseases and endurance against stress16. A better
precipitation of alkaloids was obtained in the methanol and ethanol
extracts of both stem and root extracts of Sesbania sesban. The result
coincides with the view of Jain et al., (2004) who found high degree
of alkaloid precipitation in the methanol extract of Cocculus
hirsutus17.
Harborne (1973) qualified flavonoids as being probably the most
useful class of secondary plant constituents from a systematic point
of view7. The flavonoids are the compounds structurally derived
from the parent substance flavone, and contain conjugated aromatic
systems15. Flavonoids have been referred to as nature’s biological
compound because of their inherent ability to modify the reaction
taking place in the body due to allergies, virus and carcinogens. They
show anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anticancer activity18.
Flavonoids are found in chloroform, methanol and ethanol extracts
of leaves, stem and root extracts of S.sesban and show different
degree of precipitation. Highest degree of colour development was
observed in the methanol extracts of leaves followed by the stem of
S.sesban. This result correlates with the result of Siciliano et al.
(2004) who detected and quantified eight flavonoids, three C-
Mythili et al.
Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 5, Issue 4, 2012, 179-182
181
glycosyl and five O-glycosyl flavones in roots, leaves, stems and
fruits of Sechium edule19.
Phenols are reported as antitumour agents and exhibit antioxidant
properties20. The methanol and ethanol extracts of stem and leaf of
S.sesban showed a better precipitation of phenolic content. Similar
results were reported for methanol leaf extracts of oxalis
corniculata21.
Phytosterols were found to be present in all the five extracts of the
plant parts. Sterols and triterpenes are based on the cyclopentane
perhydrophenanthrene ring system. In recent years, an increasing
number of these compounds have been detected in plant tissues.
These phytosterols are probably ubiquitous in occurrence in higher
plants and occur as both free and as simple glucosides15. Similar
observations are made from the plant parts of Ichnocarpus
frutescens22. Today, natural products derived from plants are being
tested for the presence of new drugs with new modes of
pharmacological action, utilizing the special feature of higher plants
to produce a large number of secondary metabolites23.
Highly significant degree of activity was observed against the test
bacteria Erwinia amylovora with 17.25 mm in diameter followed by
Escherichia coli with 16 mm in diameter at 250 µg/ml of the extract.
The carbon tetrachloride partitionate of the methanol leaf extract of
S.sesban showed the strongest inhibitory activity against E. coli
having the zone size 12 mm24. In most of the bacteria examined, a
better zone of inhibition was obtained at 250µg/ml and 500 µg/ml
of the extract. When compared to the standard flavonoid quercetin,
the plant extract showed a substantial amount of inhibition in the
case of Bacillus subtilis (15.5 mm), Escherichia coli (16 mm),
Enterococcus faecalis (12.75 mm), Erwinia amylovora (17.25mm)
and Shigella dysenteriae (10.25 mm). A fluctuating trend of
inhibition zone was found against some pathogens in the analysis.
Similar fluctuation trend of inhibition zone was reported by Kunjal
Bhatt et al., (2003) and Uma and Sasikumar (2005)25, 26. This may be
due to the fact that at higher concentrations, the rate of diffusion
may perhaps be varied and hence, it might not be available to react
with the microorganisms.
Plants are important source of potentially useful structures for the
development of new chemotherapeutic agents. The first step
towards this goal is the in vitro antibacterial activity assay and in the
recent years several reports available on the antibacterial activity of
plant extracts on human pathogenic bacteria27. The beneficial effects
of treatment can be achieved with the stem extract of S.sesban for
various bacterial infectious diseases like pneumonia, diarrohea,
urinary tract infection and even some skin disease. The broad
antibacterial activities could be as a result of the plant secondary
metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phytosterols etc.,
present in the extracts. Usman and Osuji (2007) reported that
tannins had been widely used topically to sprains, bruises and
superficial wounds as such, it could be probable that tannins and
other plant phenols from this extract were responsible for these
broad activities14.
In the case of Aspergillus fumigatus, Curvularia lunata, and
Verticillium glaucum a higher degree of inhibition was obtained with
500 µg/ml of the methanol stem extract. Fusarium oxysporum and
Curvularia lunata were inhibited completely at 100µg/ml and 500
µg/ml of the extract. Carbon tetrachloride and chloroform soluble
fraction of the methanol extract of Sesbania sesban leaf strongly
inhibited the growth of A. niger24. The methanol extract of the plants
Grewia arborea, Moringa heterophylla, Strychnos nuxvomica etc.
exhibited varying degrees of inhibition activity against the fungi28.
Some of these observations have helped in identifying the active
principle responsible for such activities and in developing drugs for
the therapeutic use in human beings.
CONCLUSION
Phytochemical study showed the presence of phytochemicals such
as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols and phytosterols in Sesbania sesban
which might be responsible for their therapeutic effects. It further
reflects a possibility for the development of many more novel
chemotherapeutic agents or templates from the plant which in
future may serve for the production of improved therapeutic plant
based drugs. In conclusion, the stem extract of Sesbania sesban
possess a broad spectrum of activity against a panel of bacteria and
fungi responsible for the most common bacterial and fungal
diseases.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
T.M thanks Dr. Shyamala Kanakarajan, HOD, Dept. of Plant Biology
and Plant Biotechnology, Ethiraj College for Women, for her support
and providing lab facilities.
REFERENCES
1. Agrawal VS, (1986). Economics plants of India. Botanical Survey
of India.
2. Bulletin of the World Health Organisation (WHO) July 2002,
vo1.80:7.
3. de Silva T, (1997). Industrial utilization of medicinal plants in
developing countries, Nonwood Forest Products lI: Medicinal
plants for forest conservation and healthcare, FAO, Rome, Italy.
4. Kurian JC, (1995). Plants that heal, Orient Watchmann
Publishing house, Pune.
5. Edeoga HO, Okwu DE, Mbaebie BO, (2005). Phytochemical
constituents of some Nigerian medicinal plants. African Journal
of Biotechnology, 4:685-688.
6. Sheikh Sajid R, Pawar Vijay T and Md Rageeb Md Usman, (2012).
Anti-inflammatory activity of Sesbania sesban (L) Merr.
International Research Journal of Pharmacy, 3 (1) : 176-180.
7. Harborne JB, (1973). Phytochemical Methods, Chapman and
Hall, Ltd., London, pp. 49-188.
8. Harborne JB, (1984). Phytochemical methods, 2nd edition,
Chapman and Hall publications, London, NewYork, pp. 288.
9. Trease GE and Evans WC, (1989). Pharmacognosy, 13th edition,
Balliere Tindall, London, pp. 176-80.
10. Sofowora A, (1993). Screening Plants for Bioactive Agents.
Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicinal in Africa. 2nd Ed.
Spectrum Books Ltd, Sunshine House, Ibadan, Nigeria, pp. 134-
156.
11. Victor OO, (2006). Phytochemical Screening and Anti-diarrhoeal
Activity of the Leaves of the Plant Ficus sycomorus Family:
Moraceae. Unpub. Undergrad. Proj. Fac. of Pharm. Sciences,
A.B.U., Zaria, Nigeria, pp. 27.
12. Ibrahim G, Abdulmumin S, Musa KY and Yaro AH (2008).
Anticonvulsant activities of Crude Flavonoid Fraction of the
Stem bark of Ficus sycomorus (Moraceae). J. Pharmacol. Toxicol.
3(5): 351-356.
13. Hassan MM, Oyewale AO, Amupitan JO, Abduallahi MS and
Okonkwo EM, (2004). Preliminary Phytochemical and
antibacterial investigation of crude extracts of the root bark of
Detarium microcarpum. J. Chem. Soc. Nigeria, 29: 26-29.
14. Usman H and Osuji JC, (2007). Phytochemical and in vitro anti-
microbial assay of the leaf extract of Newbouldia leavis. Afr. J.
Trad. CAM. 4(4): 476-480.
15. Harborne JB, (1988). Introduction to Ecological Biochemistry
3rd edition Academic Press, London. pp. 10-15.
16. Gupta SS, (1994). Prospects and perspectives of natural plant
products in medicine. Ind. J. Pharmacol., 26: 1-12.
17. Jain S, Lavhale M and Nayak S, (2004). Preliminary
phytochemical studies on the roots of Cocculus hirsutus L. Anci.
Sci., 23: 42-45.
18. Aiyelaagbe OO and Osamudiamen PM, (2009). Phytochemical
screening for active compounds in Mangifera indica leaves from
Ibadan, Oyo state. Pl. Sci. Res., 2: 11-13.
19. Siciliano T, De Tommasi N, Morelli I and Braca A, (2004). Study
of flavonoids of Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz. (Cucurbitaceae)
different edible organs by liquid chromatography photodiode
array mass spectrometry. J. Agric. Food Chem., 52: 6510-15.
20. Robak J and Gryglewski RJ, (1988). Flavonoids are scavengers of
superoxide anions. Biochem. Pharmacol., 37: 837- 41.
21. Raghavendra MP, Sathish S and Raveesha KA, (2006).
Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Oxalis
corniculata - A known medicinal plant. My Sci., 1: 72-78.
22. Mishra Ashutosh, Pradhan Dusmanta Kumar, Mishra Manas
Ranjan, Kumar Susil, Meher Ashutosh, (2009). Phytochemical
Mythili et al.
Asian J Pharm Clin Res, Vol 5, Issue 4, 2012, 179-182
182
screening of Ichnocarpus Frutescens plant parts, International
Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research; 1(1): 5-
7.
23. Castello MC, Phatak A, Chandra N, Sharon M, (2002).
Antimicrobial activity of crude extracts from plant parts and
corresponding calli of Bixa orellana L. In. J. Exp. Biol., 40(12):
1378-1381.
24. Md Alamgir Hossain, Mohammad S Rahman, AM Sarwaruddin
Chowdhury and Mohammad A Rashid, (2007). Bioactivities of
Sesbania sesban Extractives. J. Pharm. Sci., 6(1): 61-63.
25. Kunjal Bhatt R, Gokani SJ, Snehal Bagatharia B and Virinda
Thaker S, 2003. Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants:
Comparision of methods employed and plants studied. As. J.
Microbiol. Biotechnol. Env. Sci., 5: 455-62.
26. Uma C and Sasikumar JM, 2005. Antimicrobial activity of
traditional medicinal plants from Southern Western Ghats. As. J.
Microbiol. Biotechnol. Env. Sci., 7: 665-70.
27. Satish S, Raghavendra MP, and Raveesha KA, (2008). Evaluation
of the antibacterial potential of some plants against human
pathogenic bacteria. Advances in Biological Research, 2 (3-4):
44-48.
28. Varaprasad Bobbarala, Prasanth Kumar Katikala, K.
Chandrasekhar Naidu and Somasekhar Penumajji, (2009).
Antifungal activity of selected plant extracts against
phytopathogenic fungi Aspergillus niger F2723. Indian Journal of
Science and Technology. 2 (4):87-90.
... Morphological Description. S. sesban is a soft, slightly woody, and short-lived shrub or small tree reaching 3-4 m tall and is broadleaved and seed propagated (Figure 4(a)) [21,24,27,38,[40][41][42][43] (Ousman B. M., 2024) (unpublished). Partey et al. [30] described S. sesban as a narrow-crowned, deep-rooting, single-or multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, 1-5 m tall (Figure 4(a)). ...
... Te results suggest that the administration of S. sesban has antischistosomal properties, hence ameliorating liver function. [42] observed the presence of alkaloids, favonoids, phenols, and phytosterols, fxed oil and gum in the phytochemical analysis of methanol, and ethanol extracts from S. sesban in India. Te authors tested the biological screening efects of S. sesban methanol stem extract on ten bacterial species In Sudanese folk medicine, the leaves and fruits of S. sesban were found to treat sore throat and gonorrhoea in the study of Elegami et al. [56]. ...
... Tey found that methanol extracts at the concentration dose of 100 mg/ml (0.1 ml/cup) were efective against pathogen bacteria used, namely, Bacillus subtilis NCTC 8236, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6447, Escherichia coli NCTC 8196, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 6750. [42] tested the biological screening efects of S. sesban methanol stem extract on fve infectious fungal species (Aspergillus fumigatus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium oxysporum, and Verticillium glaucum) using the disc difusion assay. Te fungi Curvularia lunata and Fusarium oxysporum were inhibited completely by S. sesban methanol stem extract at the dose of 100 µg/ml and 500 µg/ml. ...
Article
Full-text available
This study reports on a literature review of the leguminous tree Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr which is found in the N'djamena region, the Republic of Chad. The study focused on S. sesban's medicinal and ethnomedicinal uses, biological features, and phytochemical constituents to assist in future evaluations. A literature review was conducted using academic websites, such as Science Direct and Springer, online international plant databases, and data from national herbaria. S. sesban is a perennial shrub or tree that measures 3-4 m in height. This species is becoming rare in N'djamena but can be found in the rainy season, while in winter, it occurs mainly in ponds (called the Chadian dialect "Bouta") and on the shores of the Chari and Logone rivers. The local inhabitants in Chad use the species as medicine, livestock feed, and fuelwood for improving soil fertility and repelling desert encroachment. Traditional healers use its leaves to treat breast cancer and edema. S. sesban is an essential species native to the Republic of Chad that needs conservation and valorization. Viewing its importance and rarity in N'djamena, a strategy for replanting the species in gardens, homes, and fields around N'djamena and other regions of Chad is recommended.
... However, it was not active against Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Shigella dysenteriae. 41 The antifungal activity was assessed as well using a poison plate method, at a concentration of 500 μg/mL. The sesban methanolic extract exhibited antifungal effects against Curvularia lunata, Verticillium glaucum, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Aspergillus fumigatus (with inhibition zone diameters = 18.75, 14.75, 23.25, 11 and 10.5 mm, respectively). ...
... The sesban methanolic extract exhibited antifungal effects against Curvularia lunata, Verticillium glaucum, Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Aspergillus fumigatus (with inhibition zone diameters = 18.75, 14.75, 23.25, 11 and 10.5 mm, respectively). 41 The presence of constituents such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins can be linked with the antimicrobial properties of the different extracts. 42 These findings illustrate the reason why S. sesban L. Merr. ...
... extract against Aspergillus fumigatus could also explain its usage in the management of several opportunistic infections. 41 ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr. (Family: Fabaceae), commonly known as Egyptian riverhemp, is a well-known plant widely distributed through Egypt, the rest of Africa and Asia. S. sesban leaves have been traditionally used as an anthelmintic, demulcent, purgative, and anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of eczema, in addition to its agricultural uses. Objective: The aim of this review is to present a comprehensive account of the isolated constituents from S. sesban leaves, along with the correlation between those constituents and the reported biological activities. Methods: This search was performed using SciFinder, Google, Google Scholar, and CrossRef websites using the following keywords: “ Sesbania sesban,” “ Sesbania aegyptiaca,” “Egyptian riverhemp,” “phytochemistry,” “phytochemical constituents,” “isolation,” “steroids,” “triterpenoids,” “saponins,” “coumarins,” “lipoidal contents,” “pharmacological properties,” “biological activities,” “therapeutic uses,” and “review.” Results: S. sesban leaves exhibited several therapeutic potentials such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anthelmintic, molluscicidal, antifertility, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anticancer, antianxiety, and mosquito repellant properties. An updated chemical study of S. sesban leaves has provided a variety of essential metabolites belonging to different chemical classes including steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, coumarins, lipids, and other miscellaneous compounds. The correlations between biological activities and phytoconstituents are discussed. Conclusion: This article represents an updated comprehensive evaluation of the phytochemical and biological studies of S. sesban leaves.
... Morphological description: S. sesban is a soft, slightly woody, and short-lived shrub or small tree reaching 3-4m tall ( Fig. 4a) (Mani et al., 2011;Kathiresh et al. 2012 ;Mythili & Ravindhran 2012 ;Tatiya et al. 2013;. B. Ousman et al., 2017 (unpublished) . ...
Preprint
Full-text available
This study reports on a literature review of the leguminous tree Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr, which is found in the N'Djamena region, the Republic of Chad. The study focused on S. sesban’s medicinal and ethnomedicinal uses, biological features, and phytochemical constituents to assist in future evaluations. A literature review using academic websites, such as Science Direct and Springer, online international plant databases, and data from national herbaria was conducted. S. sesban is a perennial shrub or tree that measures 3–4 meters in height. This species is becoming rare in Ndjamena but can be found in the rainy season, while in winter, the species occurs mainly in ponds (Bouta), and in the shores of the Chari and Logone rivers. The local inhabitants in Chad use the species as medicine, livestock feed, fuelwood, and for improving soil fertility and repelling desert encroachment. Traditional healers use its leaves to treat breast cancer and edema. S. sesban is an essential species native to the Republic of Chad that needs conservation and valorization. Viewing its importance and rarity in N’Djamena, a strategy for replanting the species in gardens, homes, and fields around Ndjamena and other regions of Chad is recommended.
... Morphological description: S. sesban is a soft, slightly woody, and short-lived shrub or small tree reaching 3-4m tall ( Fig. 4a) (Mani et al., 2011;Kathiresh et al. 2012 ;Mythili & Ravindhran 2012 ;Tatiya et al. 2013;. B. Ousman et al., 2017 (unpublished) . ...
Preprint
Full-text available
This study reports on a literature review of the leguminous tree Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr, which is found in the N'Djamena region, the Republic of Chad. The study focused on S. sesban’s phytochemical features and its use as a medicine and fodder to assist in future evaluations. A literature review using international academic websites, such as Science Direct, Springer, Nature, plant databases, and data from national herbaria was done. S. sesban is a perennial shrub or tree that measures 3–4 meters in height. This species is becoming rare in Ndjamena but can be found in some gardens of some institutions in Ndjamena such as the Higher Institute of Educational Sciences (ISSED). The local inhabitants in Chad use the species as medicine, livestock feed, fuel-wood, and for improving soil fertility and repelling desert encroachment. Traditional healers use its leaves to treat breast cancer and edema. S. sesban is an essential species native to the Republic of Chad that needs conservation and valorization. Viewing its rarity in N’Djamena today, a strategy of replanting the species in gardens, homes, and fields around Ndjamena and other regions of Chad is recommended.
... Morphological description: S. sesban is a soft, slightly woody, and short-lived shrub or small tree reaching 3-4m tall ( Fig. 4a) (Mani et al., 2011;Kathiresh et al. 2012 ;Mythili & Ravindhran 2012 ;Tatiya et al. 2013;. B. Ousman et al., 2017 (unpublished) . ...
Preprint
Full-text available
This study reports on a literature review of the leguminous tree Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr, which is found in the N'Djamena region, the Republic of Chad. The study focused on S. sesban ’s phytochemical features and its use as a medicine and fodder to assist in future evaluations. A literature review using international academic websites, such as Science Direct, Springer, Nature, plant databases, and data from national herbaria was done. S. sesban is a perennial shrub or tree that measures 3–4 meters in height. This species is becoming rare in Ndjamena but can be found in some gardens of some institutions in Ndjamena such as the Higher Institute of Educational Sciences (ISSED). The local inhabitants in Chad use the species as medicine, livestock feed, fuel-wood, and for improving soil fertility and repelling desert encroachment. Traditional healers use its leaves to treat breast cancer and edema. S. sesban is an essential species native to the Republic of Chad that needs conservation and valorization. Viewing its rarity in N’Djamena today, a strategy of replanting the species in gardens, homes, and fields around Ndjamena and other regions of Chad is recommended.
... The raceme has 2-20 flowers which are yellow with purple or brown streaks on the corolla. Pods are sub cylindrical, straight or slightly curved up to 30 cm long and 5mm wide containing 10-50 seeds (7). ...
Article
Full-text available
This study investigates the effect of aqueous extract of seeds of Sesbania Sesban (L) Merr. on the levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants such as reduced glutathione and vitamin-C in different organs of experimental animals subjected to inflammation with a standard drug. The experimental animals were induced inflammation with administration of a standard inflammatory drug, Carrageenan and two different concentrations of plant extract viz.150mg/kg body weight and 300mg/kg body weight of experimental animals were administered through oral mode one hour prior to Carrageenan induction. After induction and treatment, the organs such as spleen, thymus and hind paw were removed and was evaluated to test the effect of plant extract on non-enzymatic antioxidant levels in two experimental group of animals from the homogenate sample. The values obtained showed the protective effect of the plant extract in enhancing the levels of both the antioxidants in a dose-dependent manner to a significant level.
Article
Full-text available
Several plant species have been found to contain bioactive compounds that contribute positively to health and are utilized across food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. The purpose of this research is to investigate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts derived from hydroponically grown pennywort tubers (Entella asiatica (L.) Urban). The results show that the antioxidant activity of the extract (IC50) was 6.85 mg/mL. The extract demonstrates antibacterial efficacy against foodborne pathogen Escherichiacoli and the pathogenic bacteriumStaphylococcus aureus at the extract concentration of 250 mg/mL. These results underscore the potential of hydroponically cultivated pennywort tubers as a source of bioactive compounds with beneficial applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Further research is warranted to fully explore the hydroponically grown pennywort tubers, aiming to harness their medicinal attributes for disease prevention and human health enhancement in the future.
Preprint
Full-text available
This study reports on a literature review of the leguminous tree Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr is found in the N'Djamena region, the Republic of Chad. The study focused on S. sesban ’s medicinal and ethnomedicinal uses, biological features, and phytochemical constituents to assist in future evaluations. A literature review was conducted using academic websites, such as Science Direct and Springer, online international plant databases, and data from national herbaria. S. sesban is a perennial shrub or tree that measures 3–4 meters in height. This species is becoming rare in Ndjamena but can be found in the rainy season, while in winter, the species occurs mainly in ponds (called in the Chadian dialect "Bouta"), and in the shores of the Chari and Logone rivers. The local inhabitants in Chad use the species as medicine, livestock feed, fuelwood, and for improving soil fertility and repelling desert encroachment. Traditional healers use its leaves to treat breast cancer and edema. S. sesban is an essential species native to the Republic of Chad that needs conservation and valorization. Viewing its importance and rarity in N’Djamena, a strategy for replanting the species in gardens, homes, and fields around Ndjamena and other regions of Chad is recommended.
Article
Background: Anomalist psychology bases supernatural explanations on psychological and physical traits. Maladaptive psychopathological behaviors disturb life. Religious healers, help many patients and caregivers. On this basis, the current study explores the prevalence and cultural perceptions of hysteria among rural communities in Odisha's Balangir and Bargarh districts, India. Traditional therapies for psychopathological illnesses are commonly used in these communities, and we investigate the usage of medicinal plants by traditional healers. Methods: Through a six-month study involving various research methods, we identified 40 plant species across 25 families that are frequently used for treating hysteria and other psychiatric disorders. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the credit score of traditional herbs, and we found that plant leaf powder was frequently employed orally for most treatments. Results: The study found that traditional healers in the Balangir and Bargarh ethnic communities frequently use plant leaf powder, including species such as Chromolaena odorata (L.) R.M.King & H.Rob. and Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, for the treatment of hysteria and other psychiatric disorders. Conclusion: The pharmacological research of these plants could provide useful insights for the treatment of mental health disorders. This study highlights the importance of traditional therapies in managing psychopathological illnesses in rural India. Keywords: Hysteria, Ethnobotanical survey, Traditional Plant Knowledge, Wild Useful Plants, Ethnomedicine, Cultural Practices, Mental Disorders, Neurological Disorders
Article
Indigofera spicata has been used by Kamba community of Kenya as an herbal medicine over a long period to treat coughs and toothaches. There is scanty information on the phytochemical compounds and the antimicrobial activity of Indigofera spicata plant extracts on Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and E. coli, which are known to cause many opportunistic infections to humans. This study aimed at investigating the phytochemical compounds and antimicrobial activity of Indigofera spicata leaves, roots and bark extracts against Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and E. coli. Plants were collected and plant parts dried separately and crushed to obtain a fine powder which was used to extract the crude extracts using methanol solvent. Plant samples were subjected to qualitative phytochemical tests for the identification of chemical constituents present using standard qualitative methods. Phytochemical constituents were analyzed by thin layer chromatography (TLC) in appropriate solvents (n-hexane and methanol, 3:1). The plates were observed under UV lamp at wavelength of 540nm, and Rf values were calculated for each spot. 5mm diameter paper discs were each dipped in a known concentration of the extracts of 0% (distilled water), 25%, 50% and 75% methanol extracts for 2 minutes and placed in either PDA or nutrient agar inoculated with the test organisms. Three discs were placed per petri dish and were incubated at 28 degrees and 48 hours for fungi and 37 degrees for 18-24 hours for bacteria. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design in the incubator. The growth diameter of inhibition was measured with a ruler. Data obtained on zone of inhibition was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) by use of SAS statistical package. The methanolic extracts of the plants revealed the presence of tannins, sterols, alkaloids, saponins and terpenoids. However cardiac glycosides, phenols and flavonoids were absent in all the plant parts. Terpenoids were present in the stems and roots. Elution of the column with the n-hexane and methanol led to isolation of uncharacterized active compounds, three in leaves and stems, and two in roots. There were significant differences (p<0.05) between the extract concentrations, plant parts and the test microorganisms used. The leaves had the highest inhibitory effects at 75% methanol extract, i.e (5.7+0.2 mm, 6.8+0.2 mm and 8.3+0.7 mm growth diameter of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli respectively) compared to roots (5.7+0.2 mm, 6.0+0.3 mm and 7.0+0.3 mm growth diameter of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli respectively) and stem (5.8+0.2 mm, 5.3+0.2 mm and 7.7+0.2 mm growth diameter of Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans and Escherichia coli respectively). The study suggests the potential of the plant as a source of new antimicrobial agents.
Article
Full-text available
In modern medicine, plants occupy a very significant place as a raw material for some important drugs and for curing various ailments. Some plants like Acacia nilotica, Mimusops elengi, Azadirachta indica and Derris indica are generally used as 'miswak'. Two isolates belong to genus Bacillus were used to check antimicrobial activity of these medicinal plants. In the preliminary experiment, plant extracts prepared in distilled water were used with two traditional methods, i.e. Agar ditch method and paper disc method. Marked inhibition in the growth of both the species were observed. To avoid time taken for diffusion of active compounds and its interaction with microbes, in the present study, plant extract was directly added with N-agar. This method helps to screen and identify plant-microbe interaction with increased sensitivity. Comparative antimicrobial activities of four plant species with various concentrations were observed. Amongst the plant species studied, A. nilotica showed very high antimicrobial activity, followed by M. Elengi, A. indica.and D. indica, against the Bacillus species.
Article
Seven flavonoids and three non-flavonoid antioxidants, i.e. butylated hydroxyanisole, chlorpromazine and BW 755 C, were studied as potential scavengers of oxygen free radicals. Superoxide anions were generated enzymatically in a xanthine-xanthine oxidase system and non-enzymatically in a phenazine methosulphate-NADH system, and assayed by reduction of nitro blue tetrazolium. The generation of malonaldehyde (MDA) by the ascorbate-stimulated air-oxidised boiled rat liver microsomes was considered as an index of the non-enzymatic formation of hydroxyl radicals. Flavonoids but not non-flavonoid antioxidants lowered the concentration of detectable superoxide anions in both enzymic and non-enzymic systems which generated these SOD-sensitive radicals. The most effective inhibitors of superoxide anions were quercetin, myricetin and rutin. Four out of seven investigated flavonoids seemed also to suppress the activity of xanthine oxidase as measured by a decrease in uric acid biosynthesis. All ten investigated compounds inhibited the MDA formation by rat liver microsomes. Non-flavonoid antioxidants were more potent MDA inhibitors than flavonoids. It is concluded that antioxidant properties of flavonoids are effected mainly via scavenging of superoxide anions whereas non-flavonoid antioxidants act on further links of free radical chain reactions, most likely by scavenging of hydroxyl radicals.
Article
Different organic and alcoholic extracts of Calotropis gigantia R. Br., Justicia adhatoda. Linn., Moringa oleifera. Lam., Piper betle. Linn. were tested for their antimicrobial activity against certain bacterial pathogens Escherchia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae and fungal strains of Aspergillus niger and Rhizopus species. The plant extracts exhibited broader and moderate activity against all the microbial pathogens at all 100mg/mL, 75 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL and 25 mg/mL concentrations.
Article
Preliminary phytochemical and antibacterial investigations of the crude extracts from the root bark of Detariunm microcarpum obtained using solvents of varied polarity were carried out. Carbohydrates; glycosides (saponins); tannins, resins, sterols, alkaloids and flavonoids were indicated present by the tests conducted. The crude water, methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts had inhibitory effects on Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the crude extracts were determined for the various organisms. Keywords: Detarium microcarpum, crude extracts, phytochemical analysis, antibacterial susceptibility tests, MIC.
Chapter
The macromolecules of plants are distinguished from all other constituents by their high molecular weight. This may vary from 10000 to over 1000000, whereas in other plant metabolites the molecular weight is rarely above 1000. Chemically, macromolecules consist of long chains of small structural units or ‘building blocks’, linked covalently in a number of different ways. Chemical characterization in the first instance therefore depends on identifying these smaller units. Proteins, for example, are long chains of amino acids (up to twenty different ones) joined together through peptide (—CO—NH—) links. Polysaccharides are similarly derived from the union of simple sugar units, such as glucose, joined through ether (—O—) links. The nucleic acids, by contrast, are more complex and have three types of structural unit: purine and pyrimidine bases, pentose sugars and phosphate groups. The three main classes of macromolecules found in plants are thus proteins, polysaccharides and nucleic acids. However, mixed polymers are also known. such as the glycoproteins, which contain both sugars and amino acids in covalent linkage.
Article
The anticonvulsant effects of the crude flavonoid fraction of the stem bark of Ficus sycomorus were studied using the subcutaneous Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and Maximal Electroshock Test (MEST) models in mice and chicks respectively. The crude flavonoid fraction exhibited a significant (p<0.05) latency in mean onset and mean time of death of convulsed animal with a 20% protection at a dose of 10 mg kg -1 body weight i.p. (comparable to Valproic acid at 200 nig kg -1) while it showed a significant (p<0.05) and dose dependent maximal protection (83.3%) in the Maximal Electroshock Test (MEST) at an optimal dose of20 mg kg -1 body weight i.p. (comparable to Phenytoin at 20 mg kg -1). The results obtained supported the claim in the traditional use of the stem bark of the plant in the management of epilepsy.