In-vitro evaluation of antibacterial, antifungal and anti-HIV effects of calophyllum inophyllum leaf extract

Abstract

Calophyllum inophyllum is an evergreen tree with ethno-medical value growing along the seashores and islands of the Pacific and Indian Ocean. All parts of the plant such as bark, seeds and leaves have diverse medicinal uses such as an antiseptic, analgesic in wound healing, astringent, diuretic, purgative and expectorant. Although many species of calophyllum have been studied phytochemically for pharmacological properties, reports on inophyllum species are scanty. Keeping in view it's medical importance and availability in India as well as the rapid development of resistance by pathogens to the commonly used synthetic antibiotics,the pharmacological effects of C. inophyllum leaf extract (CIE) on HIV, bacteria and fungi causative of many human diseases was assessed in this study. Isolation of the pure compounds from the ethanolic CIE was performed by gross column chromatography and tested against lyophilized forms of 8 fungal and 14 bacterial strains grown on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and nutrient agar media respectively. Fractions and pure compounds isolated from CIE were evaluated against HIV by the HIV-RT inhibition assay by using the RT assay kit(Roche). The results were tabulated and analysed. Among the purified compounds, Inophyllum C & E exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal properties. Moreover, Inophyllum E was more potent than Inophyllum C in inhibiting the tested strains of bacteria and fungi whereas Inophyllum B shows highest antiretroviral activity. We conclude that CIE is an effective antimicrobial agent against common human pathogens tested in this in-vitro pharmacological evaluation of CIE.