Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Ethnobotanical Study of Calotropis gigantea

Abstract

Introduction: According to the WHO, more than 80% of world’s population depends upon the traditional medicine for primary care of health. The increased interest in plant derived drugs is mainly because of ‘herbal medicines’ are safer than costly synthetic drug. In this study, Calotropis gigantea also known as 'Aank' in Nepali was selected as the plant for the research work. Plants were collected from different parts of the Chitwan district. The objective of the study was to prepare the methanol and hexane extracts of leaves and stem of C. gigantea and carry out phytochemical screening of those extracts. Similarly, antimicrobial activity of those extract were evaluated to find its potential as drug. The ethnobotanical survey was done to find out medicinal values of the plant.

Methods: Methanol and hexane extracts of the leaves and stem of C. gigantea was prepared by Soxhlet extraction method. Methanol was used for the extraction of various polar compounds and hexane for non-polar compounds. Phytochemical screening results showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids. The phytochemicals present in different plant extracts were analyzed by following the protocol given by Ciulei I. Inhibition of bacterial growth was tested by using agar well diffusion plate method (As per DPR/BS/SOP/ Am/1) and measured in the form of zone of inhibition (ZOI).

Results: The ZOI shown by methanol extracts of leaves of C. gigantea for Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were measured 8 mm and 13 mm respectively. Similarly, the zones of inhibition shown by hexane extract of leaves of C. gigantea for E.coli and S.aureus were measured as 11 mm and 9 mm respectively in antibacterial assay. Antimicrobial activity was not seen against Klebsiella pneumoniae by any of the extracts. The ethnobotanical study conducted showed that the plant is being used for different medicinal purposes.

Conclusion : The findings of the study showed that the plant had high pharmaceutical importance. Traditionally, it is used alone or with other medicinal plants to treat common disease such as asthma, swelling rheumatism, diarrhoea, dysentery, syphilis, ulcer, leprosy etc. This study hopes to provide valuable information for different research.