In vitro Antibacterial Activity of Alkaloids Isolated from Leaves of Eclipta alba Against Human Pathogenic Bacteria

The susceptibility of five human pathogenic bacterial species to an alkaloids isolated from the leaves of this plant was screened using the agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution assay. The purity of isolated alkaloids was checked by TLC and qualitative phytochemical analysis and total alkaloids were quantified. In the present study, the inhibitory action of the alkaloid was found to increase with an increase in concentration against all bacterial strains. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed at the concentration of 500 μg/ml against all the bacteria. In this study, the S. aureus and E. coli are the more susceptible than the other selected human pathogenic bacteria. Based on the observations, E. alba appears to be a valuable source for antimicrobial properties and helps to produce antimicrobial agents to treat human pathogenic infections. Context: Different parts of Eclipta alba crude extracts are used traditionally for the treatment of several diseases of liver, skin and stomach. Aims: To study the in vitro antimicrobial activity of alkaloids isolated from E. alba against human pathogenic bacteria. Settings and Design: The susceptibility of five human pathogenic bacterial species to an alkaloids isolated from the leaves of this plant was screened using the agar well diffusion and broth micro-dilution assay. Methods and Material: The purity of isolated alkaloids was checked by TLC and qualitative phytochemical analysis and total alkaloids were quantified. Agar-well diffusion and Broth micro-dilution methods were selected to assess the antimicrobial activity. Statistical analysis used: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine statistical significance. Results: In the present study, the inhibitory action of the alkaloid was found to increase with an increase in concentration against all bacterial strains. The maximum zone of inhibition was observed at the concentration of 500 μg/ml against all the bacteria. In this study, the S. aureus and E. coli are the more susceptible than the other selected human pathogenic bacteria. Conclusion: Based on the observations, E. alba appears to be a valuable source for antimicrobial properties and helps to produce antimicrobial agents to treat human pathogenic infections.