Phytochemical Screening, Antibacterial Activity and Identification of Bioactive Compound(s) in the Leaves of Bell Weed (Dipteracanthus prostratus) for Medicinal Purpose

Bell weed (Dipteracanthus prostratus) is a medicinal herb, traditionally used in the treatment of wounds, anti-cancer, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer and anti-oxidant activities. Based on the above information, the present study is planned to know the presence of various phytochemicals in the leaves of bell weed. Bio chemicals like tannin, phenol, terpenoids, flavonoids, amino acid, protein, carbohydrate, phylobatannins, volatile oils, hydrolysable tannins and glycosides are present in aqueous and ethanol extracts, whereas steroids are absent in both extracts. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed 36 compounds viz among those dotriacontane, 2-hexadecen-1-ol,37,11,15-tetramethyl-(R-(R*, Spinacen, 2,6,10-trimethyl-14-ethylene-14-pentadecane, 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl) and stigmasterol were highly present in leaves extract. The antimicrobial activity of Dipteracanthus prostratus leaves extract against Escherichia coli, Entrobacter aerogenes, Shigella flexneri and Vibrio cholera in ethanol and aqueous extracts. The ethanolic extracts of Dipteracanthus prostrates showed the maximum level of zone of inhibition towards the pathogenic bacteria Vibrio cholera and Entrobacter aerogenes when compared to aqueous extracts, standard and control and the aqueous extract showed the maximum level of zone of inhibition against pathogenic bacteria like Entrobacter aerogenes and Shigella flexneri when compared to ethanol extract. The results suggest that these phytochemicals and compounds may be used against pathogenic bacteria, probably it is used to delivering new drug for cure many infectious diseases.