Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

Priya Narkar ¹, Savanta V. Raut ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Bhavan's College, Munshi Nagar Andheri [W], Mumbai-400058, IN

Abstract

Cymbopogon (lemongrass) is a genus of about 55 species of grasses, of which the type species is Cymbopogon citratus (a natural and soft tea Anxiolytic) native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World and Oceania. It is a tall perennial grass. This study was aimed at evaluating the antimicrobial potential of Cymbopogon citratus and its Essential Oil, in a bid to identify potential natural sources for the synthesis of new drugs to address the growing antimicrobial resistance. Crude Methanolic extract of leaves of Cymbopogon citratus prepared from solvent showed varying levels of bactericidal activity; however both the crude extract and the essential oil of Cymbopogon citratus exhibited most promising activity. MIC was carried out by Microdilution method, MIC of the crude methanolic extract was 1.015mg/ml while of lemongrass essential oil was 0.09% v/v. Activity guided fractionation was further carried out using various solvents in differing polarity for isolation of active compounds and AST. Ethyl acetate and Acetone fractions showed maximum inhibition than other fractions. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of the phytocompounds from Ethyl acetate fraction and characterized by U.V Spectrophotometer and LCMS. Anti - biofilm activity was studied, the activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes at concentrations for MBIC are - Lemongrass Essential oil - 0.01,0.01% (v/v), Ethyl acetate fraction - 3.9884,0.1992 mg/ml, Acetone fraction- 6.578,0.822 mg/ml. The activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes at concentrations for MBEC are - Lemongrass Essential oil -2.5, 0.625% (v/v), Ethyl acetate fraction - 255,255 mg/ml, Acetone fraction - 421,421mg/ml. Minimum biofilm metabolism inhibition concentration against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pyogenes found to be were - Lemongrass Essential oil - 0.63, 5% (v/v), Ethyl acetate fraction - 128, 64 mg/ml, Acetone fraction - 6.6, 13.00 mg/ml and Crude extract - 8.2, 4.00 mg/ml respectively. Biofilm Viability Assay was further carried out and Percent reduction for Streptococcus pyogenes was found to be more than Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Anti-biofilm activity was further confirmed by SEM analysis, showing total destruction of the biofilm on treatment. Other applications like antifungal, antidandruff, antiviral and antioxidant activity was further analysed and found to be effective.

Keywords

Ficus Cymbopogon citratus, Methanolic Extraction, AST, MIC, UV Spectrophotometer, LCMS, Anti-Biofilm Activity, Minimum Biofilm Metabolism Inhibition, Biofilm Viability Assay, SEM, Antifungal, Antidandruff, Antiviral and Antioxidant Activity.

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Anuya R. Belekar ¹, Savanta V. Raut ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Microbiology, Bhavan's College, Munshi Nagar, Andheri (W), Mumbai- 400058, IN

Abstract

Dandruff is the most common problem that affects many people leading to an embarrassing condition. It results from three main factors namely: Malassezia fungi, sebaceous secretion and individual sensitivity. To study the characterization of dandruff causing micro-flora from healthy and affected scalp sample according various age groups (1-10, 10-30, 30-60 and above 60) scalp sample of healthy and affected scalp sample were cultured in appropriate media like Nutrient agar, Sabouraud's dextrose and Dixon's agar. The normal micro-flora (including Yeast and Bacteria) from the scalp with dandruff was compared to the flora from people without dandruff. The bacterial and fungal communities associated with dandruff were investigated using culture-dependent Method. Normal Bacterial count of healthy and dandruff-affected scalp sample of various age group (1-10, 10-30, 30-60 and above 60) were 0.003, 0.2549, 2.0082, 1.1800 and 1.17, 1.0909, 1.2554, 0.7729 respectively. Normal Yeast count of healthy and dandruff-affected scalp sample of various age group (1-10, 10-30, 30-60 and above 60) were 0.03, 0.0014, 1.3202, 0.8987 and 0.016, 0.0034, 0.6692, 0.9117 respectively. Malassezia count of healthy and dandruff-affected scalp sample of age group (1-10, 10-30, 30-60 and above 60) were 6.6, 100.2, 62.6 and 61.4,300, 63.2 respectively. Malassezia count was absent in age group (1-10) of both scalp sample. Bacterial and Yeast count of dandruff affected scalp were increases in age group (1-10, 10-30) as compare to healthy scalp sample. But in age group (30-60 and above 60) normal Bacterial and Yeast count was decrease in dandruffaffected scalp sample. Malassezia furfur and Malassezia dermatis were identified by Biochemical test method. A comparative study on the efficacy of chemical and herbal anti-dandruff ingredients on basis and their performance in market shampoos was done in vitro against normal micro-flora including (Bacteria, Fungi and Malassezia Species.) which found on healthy and dandruff-affected scalp sample. Banana extract (Musa Acuminata) were also tested against normal micro-flora and Malasssezia Species. Banana extract showed excellent anti-malassezia activity against Malassezia Species. But failed to show antibacterial and anti-fungal activities. Zone of inhibition of herbal and banana extract showed lower value than synthetic (Chemical shampoo) ingredients containing ZnPTC and Ketoconozole recorded higher in vitro activities than shampoos containing herbal AD ingredients and Banana extract.

Keywords

Dandruff, Age Groups, Chemical And Herbal Shampoo, Banana Extract.

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