SCREENING OF SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF RHEUM AUSTRALES FOR ISOLATION OF ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUND

ABSTRACT

In the present study, the hydro-alcoholic and hexane extracts of the plant, Rheum australes (Family: Polygonaceae) were screened for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic and drug resistant strains. The non polar extracts did not showed any activity against any of the pathogenic strains. Amongst these extracts the hydro-alcoholic extracts of the plant, Rheum australes, showed potent antimicrobial activity against almost all the pathogens studied. These extracts also showed potent antibacterial activity against multidrug resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the ranges from 0.3 mg/ml to 0.7 mg/ml. The potent hydro-alcoholic extract was further subjected for isolation and characterization of potent antimicrobial compound via chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The pure antimicrobial compound isolated and characterized was Revandichinone. The compound was isolated as bright yellow needles, mp 214⁰C. The IR spectrum showed absorption bands at 3441 cm^_1 (–OH), 1625 cm^_1 (chelated-C¼O) and 1749 cm^_1 (ester–C¼O). The compound isolated was further subjected for antimicrobial screening against pathogens at varying concentrations.

Key words: Antimicrobial activity, Rheum australes, pathogenic and drug resistant strains, Revandichinone

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