Phytochemical, Antimicrobial and Hemocompatibility Evaluation of Herbal Plant 13 Rhazya Stricta – An In-Vitro Study

Plants are among the most important and common sources of potentially valuable drugs. Rhazya Stricta Decne is a traditionally important plant in Oman with medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial activity and hemocompatibility of leaves and stem extracts of R. stricta. Phytochemical investigation of different solvent extracts of the leaves and stems of this plant resulted in the identification of various chemical constituents, such as alkaloids, saponins, glycosides and amino acids. The extracts of leaves and stems were tested against pathogenic bacterial strains using disc diffusion method and agar dilution method. Based on minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the present study, the MIC value of 133 µg/ml was inhibitory to most of the organisms tested. R. stricta has considerable antifungal activity towards skin pathogen Candida albicans. The hemolytic potential of all extracts were evaluated by means of an in-vitro hemolysis assay. Most of the extracts displayed hemolytic effect less than 5%. Our present study supports the traditional claim and usefulness of this plant in Oman.