Growth Inhibitory Effects of Centella asiatica Extracts on Escherichia coli

Shubhashree Mahalik; Barnali Mohanty; Geetashree Marandi

Abstract

Plant secondary metabolites have been known for their varying degrees of antimicrobial activity. These form important constituent of traditional medicine. The present study aims to analyze the antibacterial effects of the Centella asiatica extracts by looking into the growth inhibitory effects of organic and aqueous extracts of the leaves on Escherichia coli bacterium and to identify the secondary metabolites present in the extract by phytochemical analysis. The leaf extracts of Centella asiatica prepared in methanol, ethanol, acetone and isopropanol was were investigated for growth inhibitory effects by looking into the percentage of growth inhibition, zone of inhibition and colony forming ability of the microbes on treatment with the above crude extracts. Phytochemical tests were performed to check the presence of tannin, saponin, flavonoid, glycoside, anthraquinone, terpenoid and quinone. It was observed that all the extracts had antibacterial effect with isopropanol and ethanol showing the greatest growth inhibition. The study revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, quinones, glycoside and terpenoid. The present work substantiates the extensive use of the Centella asiatica leaf extract against skin disease by the indigenous tribes of Indian subcontinent. The presence of several secondary metabolites also makes it an interesting target to screen antimicrobial compounds for pharmaceutical purpose.Keywords: E. coli, Centella asiatica, antimicrobial activity, phytochemical, herbalCite this ArticleShubhashree Mahalik, Barnali Mohanty. Geetashree Marandi. Growth Inhibitory Effects of Centella asiatica Extracts on Escherichia coli. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Microbiology and Virology. 2019; 9(2): 1–7p.