Antimicrobial, antidiarrhoeal and analysis of phytochemical constituents of Sphaeranthus amaranthoides

Abstract

The ethnomedicinal value of Spheranthus amaranthoides was investigated through phytochemical study, in vitro antibacterial-and antidiarrhoeal-activity of ethanolic extracts. The analysis of the extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrate, tannins, saponins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids and alkaloids. The extract evinced antibacterial activity on all the tested organisms viz. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus faecalis and Escherichia coli at the concentration ranged from 50-400µg/ml as assayed by disc diffusion. S. amaranthoides also caused a significant (p<0.001) castor oil induced antidiarrhoeal effect in rats. The results suggest that these activities might be due to the presence of the potent phytochemicals in the extract of Spheranthtus amaranthoides that can be used as a therapeutic agent.