Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Swietenia mahagoni: A highly medicinal plant in India

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the scientific basis for the plant, the antibacterial activities of extracts of the leaves were evaluated against some common bacterial species such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli. The study also investigated the phytochemical constituents of the plant and the effect of zone of inhibition on its anti-bacterial activity. Methods: The phytochemical constituents of the dried powdered plant parts were extracted using aqueous and organic solvents (acetone, benzene, petroleum ether, water, and methanol). The anti-bacterial activity of the concentrated extracts was evaluated by determination of the diameter of zone of inhibition against bacterial species of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli using the disc diffusion method. Results: Results of the phytochemical studies revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phlobatanins, and alkaloid, and the extracts were against the bacterial species of B. subtilis, S. aureus, and E. coli. Conclusion: Swietenia mahagoni has broad spectrum antibacterial activity and a potential source of new classes of antibiotics that could be useful for infectious disease chemotherapy and control.