Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Antimicrobial Activity of Root of Careya arborea

Background: Careya arborea is known for its traditional medicinal properties and reported for potent antitumor, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and many other activities. Its stem bark, leaves and fruits were studied biologically, but so far its root has not been studied. Aim: The aim of the present study is to standardize the root of Careya arborea and its extracts pharmacognostically and also to screen its extracts for their antimicrobial activities against several bacteria and fungi using standard procedures. Materials and Methods: Loss on drying, extractive and ash values, fluorescence and phytochemical analysis of the root and its extracts were studied using standard procedures. Antimicrobial activity was carried out by determining minimum inhibitory concentration. Results: Among all the extracts, the successive ethyl acetate extract was found to be the most active with lowest MIC values against L. acidophilius, S. aureus, C. freundii, P. aeruginosa and M. luteus. The successive chloroform extract was also found to be highly active against P. aeruginosa and fungi, M. furfur and C. albicans. Conclusion: The results are helpful in standardizing the root of the plant and since several of the root extracts possess antimicrobial properties, there is a need to isolate its constituents.