Antibacterial compounds in different species of Datura: A review

Abstract

The growing phenomenon of antibiotic resistance to pathogenic microorganisms has led to the concern of scientists on finding novel antimicrobial agents from natural sources. Datura species is a medicinal plant that has significant antibacterial properties and has been widely used to treat various diseases such as diabetes, leucoderma, skin disorders, ulcers, bronchitis, jaundice, hysteria, insanity, heart disease, fever, piles, etc. In this review, we focused on the antibacterial characteristics of plant with special reference to phytocompounds studied by various scientists in different species of Datura. Studies showed that maximum antibacterial work has been done on Datura metal, Datura inoxia and Datura stramonium against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Leaves were found to be most promising part as a source for antibacterial activities. Steroidal (51, 71 dimethyl 61-hydroxyl 31, phenyl 3 alpha -amine beta -yne sitosterol) and beta -carboline(1,7 dihydroxy-1-methyl 6,8-dimethoxy beta -carboline) alkaloids are the two antibacterial compounds isolated from D. metel. Research showed that the Datura species are very promising plants for isolation of new antibacterial compounds.