PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIBACTERIAL SCREENING OF CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (L) AND CATHARANTHUS ROSEUS (L.) AGAINST PATHOGENIC BACTERIA

The aim of the present study was to investigate phytochemical and antibacterial potential of Calendula officinals L. and Catharanthus roseus L. G. Don leaves. The leaves of both plants were screened for physico-chemical analysis. Phytochemical screening was carried out to find phytoconstituents and subsequent antibacterial studies of extracts were carried out against the pathogenic bacterial strains Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi using Kirby bauer method. The extract with maximum antibacterial activity was further processed for TLC studies. The results of the present investigation revealed superiority of C. roseus over C. officinalis in terms of ash value. Both plants showed the presence of alkaloids, saponnins, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and carbohydrates. The antibacterial studies revealed that the petroleum ether extract of C. officinalis has been active against all strains, whereas the same extract of C. roseus showed activity against S. typhi, S. aureus and B. subtilis. Chloroform extract of C. officinalis was active against only two strains i.e. E. coli and B. subtilis. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of both plants were also found to be active against all strains. Studies of TLC analysis revealed that petroleum ether extract of C. officinalis and methanolic extract of C. roseus showed distinct RF values. Further studies are required to separate characterize and screen these components for therapeutic purposes.