Latent Natural Product and Their Potential Application as Anti-Infective Agents

¹Institute of Chemical Science, University of Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan

²Department of Chemistry, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, KPK, Pakistan

³Stat Key Laboratory of Organic-Inorganic Composites, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China

*Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Shafiullah Khan

Department of Chemistry

Gomal University

D.I.Khan, Pakistan

Email: s.khan@gu.edu.pk

Abstract

Extract of Acorus calamus (AC) and Ferula asafetida (FA), were tested against different bacterial pathogens by well-cut agar diffusion method. To analyzed the in vitro activities of A. calamus (AC) and F. asafetida (FA) against four different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis were used. A. calamus (AC) had a broad spectrum antimicrobial effect against different bacterial pathogens. Streptomycin was used as standard drug with significant activity values i.e., 34 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, 36 mm against Staphylococcus epidermidis, 30 mm against Bacillus subtilis and 24 mm against Escherichia coli. Analysis of the data showing that, the crude extract of A. calamus (AC) in n-hexane exhibited superior activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The dichloromethane extract of F. asafetida (FA) was found low against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Results were compared concomitantly to standard drugs; Streptomycin. Phytochemical screening of A. calamus (AC) and F. asafetida (FA) showed presence of terpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and reducing sugar components.The high potency of A. calamus and F. asafetida against these microbes could provide an example of prospecting for new compounds. Based on the current conclusion, it can be accomplished that these plants has antimicrobial activity, which is as potent as standard antimicrobial drugs against specific microorganisms.

Keywords: Acorus calamus and Ferula asafetida, Infection, Inhibition, Phytochemical screening, Medicinal plants.

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