Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of sitopaladi churna

Abstract

Ayurvedic medicines are being used increasingly to fight or prevent common diseases. Sitopaladi churna is a polyherbal formulation containing Piper longum (Piperceae), Elettaria cardamom (Zingiberaceae), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Lauraceae). Methanolic and Aqueous extracts of Sitopaladi Churna was screened for their antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The results of antimicrobial activity of Aqueous and Methanolic extracts of the Sitopaladi churna indicated that methanolic extract inhibited the growth of one or more test pathogens than aqueous extract. Sitopaladi churna formulation extracts showed a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids and triterpinoids. This may be due to the multifunctional effect of all the three plant ingredients of Sitopaladi churna.