Manimozhi
Manimozhi
Manimozhi
Sri Sairam Siddha Medical College and Research Centre, Saileo Nagar, West Tambaram, Chennai-44, India.
2
ABSTRACT
Aim: Flavonoids are produced by plants in response to bacterial infection. Plants described in ayurvedic
literature namely, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus glomerata possess significant amount of flavonoids as secondary
metabolites. Flavonoids gained recent interest because of their broad pharmacological and antibacterial activity.
An attempt was taken to extract flavonoids from F.beghalensis and the its antibacterial activity was analysed by
appropriate methods. Methods: F.benghalensis was screened for phytoconstituents. The flavonoid was extracted
from the plant. The Total Flavonoid content was determined by standard method.The antibacterial activity was
determined by disc diffusion assay and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration methods. Results: The results of
antibacterial activity revealed that flavonid extract of the plant exhibits good activity against all the gram
positive and gram negative bacteria. The result was significant because the extract showed inhibitory activity
against Staphylococcus aureus possessing -lactamase activity.Conclusion: The flavonoid extract showed
invitro antibacterial activity against almost all the tested bacteria except Staphyloccus aureus in lower
concentrations.Minimal inhibitory concentration of methanolic extract of flavonoid was found to be
significantly low for all the five bacterial strains. Our findings suggest that flavonoids have excellent
antibacterial activity against several pathogenic bacteria like -lactamase positive Staphyloccus aureus and
gram negative bacteria.
Key words: Antibacterial, Ficus beghalensis, Flavonoid extract, MIC, TFC.
INTRODUCTION
Natural products are a rich source of bioactive compounds used for the treatment of wide range of
human ailments.[1].Even in light of new methodologies for screening large,diversity oriented small molecule
libraries,natural products still provide a large number of lead compounds used for developing new drugs [2].
Natural product drugs include aromatic polyketides,polyethers, coumarins, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and
aminoglycosides [3].In a single species, dozens of different flavonoids may be presnt. Their increasing use led
to the need for standardization and analysis of the natural products.
Flavonoids have been recognised as having a protective effect in plants against microbial invasion by
plant pathogens.[4]. Flavonoid rich plant extracts have been used for centuries to treat human diseases. [5].
Isolated flavonoids have been shown to possess a host of important biological activities, including antifungal
and antibacterial activities [ 6,7, 8 ]. The potential of naturally occurring flavonoids as anti- infective agents has
been recognized [9]. However, reports of activity in the field of antibacterial flavonoids research are widely
conflicting, probably owing to inter and intra-assay variation in the susceptibility testing [5]. The present study
was aimed at investigating the antibacterial activity of flavonoids isolated from the bark of Ficus benghalensis
against five bacterial species.
In recent years, secondary plant metabolites (phytochemicals) previously with unknown
pharmacological activities, have been extensively investigated as a source of medicinal agents [10].
Phytochemicals with adequate, antibacterial effect will be used for the treatment of bacterial infections [11]. It
is time to examine more closely our natural resources, ie., the plants, which contain compounds of potential
medical use. One such compound is flavonoids which appear to play a major role in the successful medical
treatments of ancient times and their use has preserved till date [12]. Ventakamaran [13] also claimed that
Moraceae family contains phytochemistry related to flavonoids, flavonoids with isoprenoid substituents and
stillbenes. Flavonoids are a group of poly phenolic compounds possessing low molecular weight that exhibit a
common benzo r- pyrene structure. They are categorized into various subclass including flavones, flavonols,
flavonones, isoflavonones, isoflavonoids, anthocyanidings, and catechins. [14, 15].
Flavonoids are a broad group of secondary metabolites with varied and important roles in plant
physiology as well as they have gained recent interest because of their broad pharmacological activity. Putative
therapeutic effects of many traditional medicines may be ascribed to the presence of flavonoids [16,17].
Infectious diseases are the leading cause of death world-wide. Antibiotic resistance has become a global concern
[18]. The clinical efficacy of many existing antibiotics is being threatened by the emergence of multi-drug
resistant pathogens [19]. Multiple drug resistance has significantly increased in recent years. The existence of
enzymes of extended-spectrum -lactamases producing organisms that are resistant to virtually -lacatam
antibiotics have been reported [20]. Many infectious diseases have been known to be treated with herbal
remedies throughout the history of mankind. Natural products, either as pure compounds or as standardized
plant extracts, provide unlimited opportunities for new drugs because of the unmatched availability of chemical
diversity.
Ficus benghalensis
Ficus benghalensis belongs to the family Moraceae, which is commonly known as Banyan tree. F.
benghalensis are fast growing, evergreen tree found in monsoon and rain forests, grow up to 30 meters, with
spreading branches and many aerial roots (figure 1). Leaves, stalked, ovate-corate, 3-nerved entire, when young
downy on both sides; petiole with a broad smooth greasy gland at the apex, compressed, downy; Fruit in
auxiliary paris, the size of a cherry (figure 3).
External features of the bark: Mature bark is 12-18 mm thick,grey, closely adhered ashy white,light
bluish-green or grey patches, slightly curve, thickness varies with the age of the tree. Surface is deeply fissured
and rough due to the presence of longitudinal and transverse row of lenticles, mostly circular and prominent,
fracture short in outer 2/3 of bark while inner portion shows a fibrous fracture.[21] (figure 2)
Taxonomic classification of Ficus benghalensis (22)
Kingdom
:Plantae
SubKingdom
: Tracheobionta
Super division
: Spermatophyta
Division
:Magnoliophyta
Class
:Magnoliopsida
Subclass
: Hamamelidae
Order
:Urticales
Family
:Moraceae
Genus
:Ficus
Species
:F.benghalensis
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Figure 6. Lecucodelphenidin
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it was concluded that ethanolic extract of F. bengalensis has great potential as antimicrobial compound against
microorganisms and it can be used for the treatment of infectious diseases caused by resistant microorganisms
[28]. Actinomyces viscosus belongs to group of Actinomycetes. It is gram positive, aerobic, non sporing rod
shaped bacteria. It is frequently encountered in high proportion of smooth tooth surface and gingiva. Various
experiments were performed to check the antibacterial activity of F. bengalensis against A. viscosus. These
show that the extract of F.bengalensis bark of 0.08 mg/ml to 0.1 mg/ml have better antibacterial activity [29].
Antimicrobial activity of Flavonoids
Flavones are phenolic structures containing one carbonyl group (as opposed to the two carbonyls in
quinones). The addition of a 3-hydroxyl group yields a flavonol [30]. Flavonoids are also hydroxylated
phenolic substances but occur as a C6-C3 unit linked to an aromatic ring. Since they are known to be
synthesized by plants in response to microbial infection [ 31]), it should not be surprising that they have been
found in vitro to be effective antimicrobial substances against a wide array of microorganisms. Their activity is
probably due to their ability to complex with extracellular and soluble proteins and to complex with bacterial
cell walls, as described above for quinones. More lipophilic flavonoids may also disrupt microbial membranes
[32]. Catechins, the most reduced form of the C3 unit in flavonoid compounds, deserve special mention. These
flavonoids have been extensively researched due to their occurrence in oolong green teas. It was noticed some
time ago that teas exerted antimicrobial activity and that they contain a mixture of catechin compounds. These
compounds inhibited in vitro Vibrio cholerae O1, Streptococcus mutans, Shigella and other bacteria and
microorganisms [33]. The catechins inactivated cholera toxin in Vibrio and inhibited isolated bacterial
glucosyltransferases in S. mutans [34].
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presence of flavonoids. The yellow colouration disappeared on standing. Few drops of 1% aluminium solution
were added to a portion of each filtrate. A yellow colouration was observed indicating the presence of
flavonoids. A portion of the powdered plant sample was in each case heated with 10 ml of ethyl acetate over a
steam bath for 3 min. The mixture was filtered and 4 ml of the filtrate was shaken with 1 ml of dilute ammonia
solution. A yellow colouration was observed indicating a positive test for flavonoids.
IV. Test for terpenoids (Salkowski test): Five ml of each extract was mixed in 2 ml of chloroform, and
concentrated H2S04 (3 ml) was carefully added to form a layer. A reddish brown colouration of the inter face
was formed to show positive results for the presence of terpenoids.
V. Test for glycosides (Keller-Killani test): Five ml of each extracts was treated with 2 ml of glacial acetic
acid containing one drop of ferric chloride solution. This was underlayed with 1 ml of concentrated sulphuric
acid. A brown ring of the interface indicates a deoxysugar characteristic of cardenolides. A violet ring may
appear below the brown ring, while in the acetic acid layer, a greenish ring may form just gradually throughout
thin layer.
VI. Test for Alkaloids
(A) Dragendroffs reagent: 8g of bismuth nitrates Bi (No3)3 5 H2o was dissolve in 20ml of HNo3 and 2.72g
of Potassium iodide in 50ml of H2o. These were mixed and allowed to stand for deposition of KNo3 Crystals.
The Supernatant was decanted off and made up to 100ml with distilled water. Procedure: To 0.5ml of leaf
extract 2ml of HCl was added. To this acidic medium 1ml of dragendroffs reagent was added on, orange or red
precipitate produced immediately indicate the presence of alkaloids.
(B) Mayers test: 1.36g of Mercuric chloride was dissolved in 60ml of distilled water and 5g of Potassium
iodide in 10ml of water. These two solutions were mixed and diluted to 100 ml with distilled water.
Procedure: 1.2 ml of plant extract was taken in a test tube and to this 0.2 ml of dilute HCl and 0.1 ml of
Mayers reagent were added. Formation of yellowish Puff coloured precipitate indicates the presence of
alkaloid.
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Isolation of Flavonoids
100gm air-dried bark of Ficus benghalensis was powdered and defatted with (60-80) petroleum ether
(750ml). It was then extracted with 750ml distilled ethanol in soxlet for 16hrs. the extract was filtered and
concentrated in a rotary flash evaporator at 60C. The concentrated ethanolic extract was poured into excess of
distilled water with stirring and filtered. The filtrate that comprises water-soluble portion of extract was
extracted in liquid liquid extractor with Petroleum ether (60 - 80), Benzene & Ethyl Acetate. Ethyl Acetate
extract was concentrated to a small volume and was kept in a refrigerator for 48 hrs, which yielded, yellow
crystals. These crystals were dissolved in ethyl acetate and were tested for the presence of flavonoids [42].
Scheme of procedure adopted for the isolation of Flavonoids:
100 gm of air-dried bark powder
Aqueous fraction
Pet-ether fraction
Aqueous fraction
Benzene fraction
Aqueous fraction
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RESULTS
Table 1. Phytochemical screening of bark extract of Ficus benghalensis
S/No.
1
2.
Phytochemical Constituents
Alkaloids
Observation
Dragendorffs test
Mayers test
Yellowish pricipitation
Flavonoids
Alkali Reagent
3.
Methanol extract of
Ficus benghalensis
Glycosides
Green-blue colour
Foam
Pink colour
KellerKialni
4.
Tannin
FeCl3 test
5.
Saponins
Frothing test
6.
Terpenoids
Salkowski test
7.
Anthraquinones
Benzene Ammonia Test
Negative (absent)
+ Positive (present)
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EXTRACT
CODE
TOTAL FLAVONOID
CONTENT (mg qe/gm)
Bark FB
1.890.6
The total flavonoid content (TFC) was determined as mean SD for three replicate measurements
Table-3 Antibacterial activity of flavonoid extract of Ficus benghalensis against bacteria. (disc diffusion assay).
50 g/ml
75 g/ml
100 g/ml
E. coli
9.10.56
10.40.61
12.11.00
13.90.54
Proteus vulgaris
12.050.45
13.90.05
15.40.36
Staphylococcus aureus
13.20.45
14.30.5
Bacillus subtilis
14.030.55
16.30.72
20.90.03
23.70.32
Pseudomonas auruginosa
12.50.45
15.10.37
19.40.89
23.90.7
- No Activity
Zone of inhibition in mm
The antimicrobial activity was determined by measuring the diameter of zone of inhibition that is the mean of
triplicates SD for three replicates.
TABLE-4 Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)of flavonoid extract against bacteria.
Concentration
Bacterial species
25 g/ml
50 g/ml
75 g/ml
100 g/ml
E. coli
0.7000.01
0.6200.04
0.6100.02
0.3700.04
Proteus vulgaris
0.6600.04
0.6000.04
0.4800.05
0.2400.05
Staphylococcus aureus
0.5600.04
0.5000.02
0.4300.05
0.4500.04
Bacillus subtilis
0.6100.02
0.5600.06
0.4600.12
0.2500.05
Pseudomonas auruginosa
0.5000.02
0.4000.02
0.2100.01
0.2700.026
Minimal Inhibitory Concentration was determined by measuring the turbidity of the bacterial culture that is the
mean of triplicates SD of three replicates.
The bacterial strains were tested for their -lactamase activity. Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus
vulgaris showed positive results for the tests. Ficus benghalensis is rich in flavonoids.[44]. The total flavonoid
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content (TFC) was calculated using catechin equivalent and tabulated in table-1.It was observerved that Ficus
benghalensis contained a veryhigh amount of flavonoids as compared to Ficus religiosa in genus Ficus.(45)
Flavonoids from F.beghalensis extracted by appropriate method. The total flavonoid content (TFC)
was calculated and tabulated in table-1. The antibacterial properties of methanol extract of flavonoid was tested
against five bacterial strains. Antibacterial activity of flavonoid extract was found out by disc-diffusion assay
and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration(MIC).Results for antibacterial activity was calculated by measuring the
zone of inhibition.The results for antibacterial activity were shown in table-2 MIC or minimal inhibitory
concentration, is the lowest concentration of an antimicrobial compound that will inhibit the growth of the
organism being tested [42] . The MIC was calculated to indicate the antibacterial potency of flavonoid extract.
The bacterial suspension was used as positive control and sterile saline added with uninoculated broth
as negative control. Minimum inhibitory concentration results revealed that the OD value was higher in the
control because bacteria caused turbidity.There was a gradual decrease in the optical density at higher
concentration.The results were tabulated(3). The flavonoid extract showed potent antibacterial activity against
E.coli, Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The extract was active against Staphylococcus aureus (lactamase positive) in higher concentration. However, the zone of inhibition was more than 12mm.It showed
good antibacterial activity.
DISCUSSION
With ever increasing momentum in the quest for newer antimicrobial agents, to counteract the
spiralling bacterial drug resistance, plants are being increasingly explored in many parts of the world. These
plants may offer a new source of potential activity against infective microorganisms [46]. We studied the
antibacterial properties of flavonoid extract of Ficus benghalensis. This study shows F.benghalensis has
significant antibacterial activity against most of the tested bacterial pathogens. Of these S.aureus and
P.aeruginosa are important human pathogens with known potential for drug resistance. P.vulgaris is again
important multi-drug resistant pathogen with potential for producing metallo -lactamases and extended
spectrum lactamases .The MIC for Proteus vulgaris and Bacillus subtilis were extremely low followed by
Pseudomons aeruginosa and E.coli .The MIC of S.aureus was little high compared to other gram negative
bacteria. The number of flavonoids inhibit the growth of E.coli and Plasmodium falciparum invivo by targeting
specific enzymes of fattyacid biosynthesis [47].
CONCLUSION
This article comprised of plant description, phytochemical constitution, total flavanoid content,
antibacterial activity (disc diffusion assay, minimum inhibitory concentration) of Ficus benghalensis Linn.
(moraceae), a medicinal plant found throught India and also in Bengal. This plant has a great medicinal value as
it has been reported to have versatile phytochemical constituents including flavanoids.
Flavonoids showed innvitro antimicrobial activity against all the bacterial strains.This is the evalution
of the activity of flavonoids against -lactamase producing Staphylococcus aureus At present, flavonoidcontaining preparations are also produced for the treatment of stomach and duodenum disorders [48], as well as
glaucoma, hemorrhagic retinopathy, and thyroid gland hyperfunction [49].Thus, flavonoids may be considered
potential therapeutic compounds for infections that may be caused by these pathogenic bacteria in the future.
Therefore, further work is underway to identify the bioactive compound. Additionally, the antimicrobial activity
of some antibacterials in combination with flavonoids against the pathogenic bacteria may also need to be
evaluated for the treatment of infections.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author is thankful to Dr.S.Shankaranarayanan (Managing Director), Gloris biomed research centre,
for his constant support and encouragement thoroughout the work. The author is also thankful to
Dr.G.Sampathkumar, Assistant Professor/HOD, Ambedkar Government Arts College, Chennai. The work is
dedicated to all my teachers and students.
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