Evaluation of antimicrobial and phytochemical properties of terminalia arjuna linn. extracts against respiratory tract pathogens

The aim of this research was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Terminalia arjuna bark extracts was aimed to investigate against three gram-positive, two gram-negative bacteria and one fungi causing respiratory infections. Dried plant materials were crushed and extracted in petroleum ether, acetone, methanol and water by using Soxhlet apparatus. The agar well diffusion method was adopted to examine antimicrobial activity of extracts against test organisms. Phytochemical analysis was done for plant extract also. The results showed that methanol extract was most active as comparison to other extract. The maximum inhibition was found against S. pneumoniae (17.3±0.57 mm) followed by H. influenzae (16.6±0.57mm), P. aeruginosa (14.6±0.76 mm) and S. pyogenes (13.6±0.28 mm), S. aureus (12.6±0.28 mm) and minimum against C. albicans (11.3±0.28 mm) respectively. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, steroids, saponins and tannins in plant extracts. The results signify traditional values of T. arjuna in treatment of respiratory diseases which might be accountable for its antimicrobial potential.