Anti-bacterial and Anti-fungal Activities of Ethyl Acetate Extract and the Isolated Fraction of Acanthospermum hispidum DC

Objective: To examine the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of ethyl acetate extract and the isolated fraction of the plant Acanthospermum hispidum DC. Method: Anti-bacterial activity was studied by agar dilution method using Muller Hinton(MH) Agar media. And the MIC of the extract was compared with that of standard ciprofloxacin (5µg/ml). Anti-fungal activity of the extract was investigated by tube dilution method using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) medium and the results compared with standard clotrimazole(125µg/ml). An attempt was made to isolate the fraction responsible for the anti microbial property of the extract. Result: The ethyl acetate extract showed potential anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties comparable with standard ciprofloxacin and clotrimazole respectively against the organisms examined. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract for anti-bacterial activity was 200µg/ml. The isolated fraction was also found to possess anti microbial properties similar to that of the crude extract. The MIC of the fraction was 133.33µg /ml. And the thin layer chromatographic study of the fraction showed it as diterpene. Conclusion: The plant appears to be promising for isolation of active constituent for development of phytomedicine for anti-microbial properties.