In Vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Assay of Tectona grandis-A Screening Study

 

K. G. Purushotham1*, P. Arun1, J. Johnsy Jayarani1, R. Vasanthakumari1, and D.  Chamundeeswari2

1Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute,   Dr. M. G. R University, Maduravoyal.  Chennai-600 095, Tamil Nadu, India.

2Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

 

ABSTRACT:

Medicinal plants are potential of antimicrobial compounds. The present study deals with the antibacterial and antifungal activity of methanolic extracts of Tectona grandis (Verabinaceae) leaves were collected from the garden of Dr. M.G.R. University during May- June 2009, Chennai, India. Air- dried and extracted by methanol. The methanolic extract of Tectona grandis leaves were examined for antibacterial and antifungal activity by in vitro using the disc diffusion method, Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum fungicidal Concentration (MFC). Activity against Gram-positive (Streptococcus species (MTCC 389)), Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia (MTCC 432), Psedomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688), Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 425), Escherichia coli, (MTCC 729), Salmonella typhimurium(MTCC 98))and fungal strains (Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger Aspergillus fumigatus Rhizopus sp. Trichophyton rubrum,Trichophyton gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes) is discussed.

 

KEYWORDS: Antibacterial activity, Antifungal activity, Disc diffusion method, MIC, MBC, MFC, Tectona grandis,

 

 

1. INTRODUCTION:

Infectious diseases are the second leading cause of death World wide1. Bacterial infections are the most serious global health issues in 21st century2. Antimicrobial resistance settings have failed to address this essential aspect of drug usage3. There are a number of clinically efficacious antibiotics becoming less effective due to the development of resistance. The emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotic is a major health problem and therefore, it is critical to develop new antibiotic with novel mechanism of action to overcome there problems4. Plants and plants products have been used extensively throughout history to treat medicinal problems. Numerous studies have been carried out to extract various natural products for screening antimicrobial activity5, 6.

 

Tectona grandis is a large deciduous tree, 10-12 meter tall; branchlets 4-angled, density clothed with yellowish grey tomentum. Leaves opposite, elliptic or obviate, 30-50 x 15-20 cm, cuneate at base, entire or crenulate, acute or acuminate, rough and glabrous above, stellate, grey to tawny tomentose beneath7. It commonly known as Indian teak and it belongs to family Verabinaceae. Lapachal, a napthoquinone isolated from T. grandis is reported to have anti ulcer8 and nitric oxide scavenging activity9. Tectona grandis has been reported to contain 1-hydroxy2methylanthraquinone. tectoquinone, pachybasin, dehydrotectol, tectol, lapachol, 2-methylquinizarin, deoxy lapachol, β-sitoserol, squalence and betulinic acid10-12. The present investigation was made to evaluate the antibacterial and anti fungal activity of T. grandis leaves.

 

 


2. MATERIAL AND METHODS:

2.1 Collection of plant material:

Tectona grandis leaves were collected from the garden of Dr. M.G.R. University during April- May 2009, Chennai, India. The plant material was identified by Dr.K.Balakrishnan, Research Officer, Central Research Institute for Ayurveda and Siddha (Central Council for Ayurveda and Siddha), Arumbakkam, and Chennai. Collected plant material was air dried, under shade at room temperature, ground with hand grinder having particle size 300µm approximately.

 

2.2 Solvents and Chemicals:

Methanol was used for the extraction purpose. The commercial grade solvent was purchased (Ranbaxy Fine Chemicals Ltd., New Delhi, India) which was distilled and this purified form was used for the extraction procedure in this study.

 

2.3 Preliminary phytochemical screening:

Preliminary phytochemical screening of T. grandis was carried out from the various phytoconstituents using standard procedures13. The methanolic extract was found to contain more flavonoids. The preliminary phytochemical screening of methanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins.

 

2.4 Preparation of crude extract:

Weighed quantities of coarsely powdered leaves of T. grandis were placed in maceration flask and added with sufficient quantity of methanol. Complete maceration took place for about 72 hours, with occasional shaking during first 6 hours14. After 72 hours, the men strum was collected and evaporated to obtain the dried extract.

 

2.5 Preparation of test solution and disc:

Test solution was prepared with known weight of crude extracts, dissolved in 5% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Whatman no.1 sterile filter paper discs (6mm) were impregnated with 20µl of this extract (corresponding to 500 µl/ml to 1000 µl/ml of crude extract) and allowed to dry at room temperature.

 

2.6 Microorganisms used:

Six different bacterial strains used for study were Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC 432), Psedomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688), Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 425), Escherichia coli, (MTCC 729), Salmonella typhimurium (MTCC 98), and Streptococcus species (MTCC 389). These standard stains were obtained from Microbial Type Culture Collection and gene bank (MTTC); Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India (Invoice no MTCC/07/8/4836). The stock culture was maintained on Muller Hinton agar medium at 4°C. Nine fungal pathogens namely Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger Aspergillus fumigatus, Rhizopus sp, Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton gypseum and Trichophyton mentagraphytes. These fungal strains were isolated and obtained from A.C.S Medical College and Hospital (Unit of Dr. M. G. R. University) Chennai-600 077, Tamil Nadu, India. The stock culture was maintained on Sabouraud Dextorse Agar medium at 4°C.

 

In vitro antibacterial activity was determined by using Muller Hinton Agar and Muller Hinton Broth. In vitro antifungal activity was determined by using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar, yeast Nitrogen base (for yeast) and Sabouraud Dextorse Broth (for mycelia fungi) and they were obtained from Himedia Ltd., Mumbai15.

 

2.7 Preparation of inoculam:

Twenty-four hours old culture of selected bacterial/yeast was mixed with physiological saline and the turbidity was corrected by adding sterile physiological saline until a Mac Farland turbidity standard of 0.5 [106colony forming units(CFU)  per ml].

 

The isolates were sub cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and incubated at 35°C for 7-14 days. The growth was scraped aseptically, crushed and macerated thoroughly in sterile distilled water and fungal suspension was standardized spectrophotometrically to an absorbance of 0.600 at 450 nm.

 

2.8 Antibacterial and antifungal assay:

The agar diffusion method was followed for antibacterial and antifungal susceptibility test.  Petri plates were prepared by pouring 15-20 ml of Muller Hinton Agar for bacteria and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar for fungi respectively and which were allowed to solidify. Plates were dried and 0.1 ml of standardized inoculum suspension was poured and uniformly spread. The excess inoculum was allowed to dry for 5 minutes in incubator. The discs were then applied and the plates were incubated in incubator at 37°C for 24 hours (bacteria), 28°C for 48 hours (yeast) and 28°C for 72-96 hours (mycelia fungi). The inhibition zones were measured from the edges of the disc to the inner margin of the surrounding pathogens. Each assay in this experiment was repeated thrice.

 

2.9 Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC):

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration of the plant extract was tested as previously by the two-fold serial dilution method. The test extract was dissolved in 5% DMSO to obtain 1000 µg/ml stock solution. 0.5 ml of stock solution was incorporated into 0.5 ml of Muller Hinton broth for bacteria, Yeast Nitrogen Base for yeasts and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth for mycelia fungi to get a concentration of 500 µg/ml and serially diluted by double dilution method to achieve 250, 125, 62.5 and 31.25 µg/ml, respectively. 50 µl of standardized suspension of the test organisms were transferred on to each tube. The control tube contained only organisms and not the plant extract. The culture tubes were incubated the in incubator at 37°C for 24hours (bacteria), 28°C for 48 hours (yeasts), and  28°C for 72-96 hours (mycelial fungi). The lowest concentrations, which did not show any growth of tested organism after macroscopic evaluation was determined as MIC.

 

2.10 Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC):

All the tubes used in the MIC study which did not show any growth of the bacterial and fungal after the incubation period were first diluted (1:4) in fresh Muller Hinton Broth for bacteria and  Yeast Nitrogen Base for yeast and Sabouraud Dextrose Broth for mycelial fungi and then sub cultured on to the surface of the freshly prepared Muller Hinton agar (for bacteria) and Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (for fungi) plates and incubated in incubator at 37°C for 24 hours (bacteria), 28°C for 48 hours (for yeast) and 28°C for 72-96 hours (mycelial fungi). The MBC and MFC were recorded as the lowest concentration of the extract that did not permit any visible bacteria and fungal colony growth on the appropriate agar plates after the period of incubation.


Table: - 1 Antibacterial activity of Tectona grandis leaves Antibacterial activity of Tectona grandis

S. No

Bacteria

Methanol

Mean Zone of Inhibition (mm)

MIC(µg/ml)

MBC(mg/ml)

500 µg/ml

1000µg/ml

1

Streptococcus species (MTCC 389).

8 ± 0.3

14 ± 0.37

62.5

125

2

Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 425)

6 ± 0.21

10 ± 0.32

125

250

3

Salmonella typhimurium(MTCC 98)

5 ± o.24

9 ± 0.41

125

500

4

Psedomonas aeruginosa (MTCC 1688)

5 ± 0.18

10 ± 0.34

250

500

5

Klebsiella pneumonia (MTCC 432)

4 ± 014

8 ± 029

250

500

6

Escherichia coli, (MTCC 729)

4 ± 0.11

7 ± 0.28

250

500

±: Standard deviation

 

Table: - 2 Antifungal activity of Tectona grandis leaves

Antifungal activity of Tectona grandis

S. No

Fungi

Methanol

Mean Zone of Inhibition (mm)

MIC (µg/ml)

MFC (mg/ml)

500 µg/ml

1000 µg/ml

1

Candida albicans

13 ± 0.45

20 ± 0.52

31.25

62.5

2

Cryptococcus neoformans

6 ± 0.21

10 ± 0.44

250

500

3

Aspergillus flavus

12 ± 0.37

15 ± 0.49

62.5

125

4

Aspergillus fumigates

12 ± 0.40

15 ± 0.56

62.5

125

5

Aspergillus niger

11 ± 0.30

14 ± 0.32

62.5

125

6

Rhizopus sp

10 ± 0.48

13 ± 0.35

62.5

125

7

Trichophyton rubrum,

9 ± 0.45

13 ± 0.49

125

125

8

Trichophyton mentagrophytes

7 ± 0.24

7 ± 0.24

250

500

9

Trichophyton gypseum

7 ± 0.28

7 ± 0.28

250

500

±: standard deviation

 

 


3. RESULTS:

Our results (Tables 1 and 2) showed that the methanol extract of Tectona grandis possessed antibacterial and antifungal activities against the microorganisms tested. A total of 15 microorganisms which consisted of six bacteria, two yeasts and seven fungi (including three dermatophytic fungi) were tested. When the methanol extract was assayed against the test organisms by agar diffusion assay (table 1 and 2), the mean zones of inhibition obtained were between 2 and 20 mm. The blind control (dimethyl sulphoxide) did not inhibit any of the microorganisms tested.

 

MIC values of 62.5-250 µg/ml were obtained against bacterial pathogens. On other hand, the values obtained in the range of 31.25-250 µg/ml were recorded against the fungal isolates. The results of MBC of the extract (Table 1) showed that with the exception of the antibacterial assays against Streptococcus species (MTCC 389) and Proteus mirabilis (MTCC 425), the methanolic extract exhibited a MBC at a concentration of 500 µg/ml. MFC of the extract (Table 2) showed that with the exception of the antifungal assays against Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus sp. And Trichophyton rubrum the methanolic extract exhibited a MFC at a concentration of 500 µg/ml.

 

4. DISCUSSION:

The inhibitory effect of (Tables 1 and 2) methanolic extract of Tectona grandis gave favourable results against all the tested microorganisms with MIC values between 31.25 and 500 µg/ml. The present study revealed that the leaves extract of T. grandis was very effective against Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates, Apergillus niger, along with both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In the present study, fungal strains were more susceptible to the extract then the bacterial strains. The test organisms used in this study are associated with various forms of human infections. From a clinical point of view, Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most important member of the Klebsiella genus of enterobacteiaceae and its emerging is an important cause of neonatal nosocomial infection16. Escherichia coli causes septicemias and can infect the gall bladder, meninges, surgical wounds, skin lesions and the lungs especially in debilitated and immunodeficient patients17. Infection caused by salmonella typhi is a serious public health problem in developing countries and represents a constant concern for the food industry18. The demonstration of activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria is an indication that the plant can be a source of bioactive substances that could be broad spectrum of activity.

 

The higher zone of inhibition was recorded at 1000 µg/ml concentration than 500 µg/ml concentration of  the extract. As the disc dosage level increases, the inhibitory effect also increased. The values obtained in the MBC and MFC studies were higher than those of the MIC studies (Tables 1and 2). Similar observations were made by (Chattopadhyay D) 19 while studying the antimicrobial activities of Alstonia macrophyla and Mollotus peltatus leaves.

The fact that the methanolic extract of Tectona grandis leaves exhibited inhibitory activity against some of the microorganisms implicated in the pathogenesis of the skin diseases (yeasts, such Candida albicans and dermatophytes such as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum gypseum). T. grandis leaves contain tannin, which are used as anti-inflammatory agents and also used topically for treatment of burns20.

 

Further study on the fractions of active components in Tectona grandis leaves and the maximal species may provide better understanding of the antimicrobial activity. In since Tectona grandis appear to be most promising, bioassay–guided fractionation which is currently underway with a goal of elucidating their active antimicrobial compound

 

5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

The authors are thankful to staff members from ACS medical college and Hospital Velappanchavadi, Chennai 600 077, and sincerely acknowledges to Dr. K.Balakrishnan Research Officer, central Research institute for Ayurvda and Siddha (Central Council for Ayurveda and Siddha), Arumbakkam, and Chennai. For identification of plant material

 

6. REFERENCE:

1.     Fazyl-Bazzaz BS, Khajehkaramadin M, Shokooheizadeh HR. In vitro antibacterial activity of Rheum ribes extract obtained from various plant parts against clinical isolates of Gram-positve pathogens. Iranian J. Pharm. Res. 2005;2:87-91

2.     Morris A K, Masterton RG. Antibiotic resistance surveillance: action for international studies. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. 2002; 49:7-10.

3.     Monnet DL, Archibald LK, Phillips L, Tenover FC, Mcgowan JE, Gaynes RP. Antimicrobial use and resistance in eight US hospitals: complexities of analysis and modeling. Infectious Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 1998; 19:388-394.

4.     Wang  J, Galgoci, A, Kodali Herath SKB, Jayasuriya H, Dorso K, Vicente F, Gonzalez A, Cully D, Bramhill D, Singh S. Discovery of a small molecule that inhibits cell division by blocking FtsZ, anovel therapeutic target of antibiotics. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2003;278:44424-44428

5.     Nito T, Arai T, Takamatsu H, Antibacterial activity of extracts prepared from tropical and subtropical plants on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. J.Health Sci. 2002; 48:273-276.

6.     Velickovic DT, Randjelovi NV, Ristic M. Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of the ethanol extracts obtained from the flower, leaf and stem of Salvia officinalis. J. Serb Chem.soc; 2003; 68:17-24.

7.     Data base on medicinal plants used in aurveda Vol: 5 pp: 295-303.

8.     Ferreira MJU, Ascenso JR, Valderia L, Duarte A, Frade  JP, Freitas G. Evaluation of antiviral and antimicrobial activities of triterpenes isolated from Euphorbia segetalis. Nat Prod Res. 2003; 17:375-380.

9.     Jagetia GC,Baliga MS. The evaluation of nitric oxide scavenging activity of certain Indian medicinal plants in vitro: a preliminary study. J. Med. Food. 2004; 7(3):343-348.

10.   Thomson RH. Naturally occurring quinines. 1971 2nd Ed: London and New York: Academic Press.

11.   Rameshwar J, seshadri TR. J. Indian Chem. Soc. 1979; 56:940-941.

12.   Singh P, jain S, Bhargara S Phytochemistry 1989; 1258-1289.

13.   Evans WC. Trees and Evans pharmacognosy. London, Balliere, tindall. 1996;p388

14.   Kumar AS, Mazumdar, Saravanan VSA. Anti hyperlipidemic activity of Camellia senensis leaves in Triton-WR 1339 induced Albino rats.  Phcog Mag. 2008; 4:60-64.

15.   Chnadrasekaran M, Venkatesulu V. Antibacterial antifungal activity of Syzygium jambolanum seeds.  J. of Ethnopharmacology, 2004; 91:105-108.

16.   Gupta P, Murali P, Murali MV, faridi MMA, Kaul PB, Ramachandran VC,  Talwar V Klebsiella septicaemia in neonates. Ind J Paediatr. 1993; 60:565-572.

17.   Betony JEC, Mantouani RP, Barbosa LN, Sasti LCD, Fernender A. Synergism between plants extract and antimicrobial drugs used on Stphylococcus aureus diseases. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz,Rio De Janerio. 2006; 101:387-390.

18.   Mastroeni P, Immunity to systemic Salmonella infections.  Curr Mol Med. 2002; 2:393-406.

19.   Chattopadhyay D, Maiti K, Kundu AP, Bhadra R, Mandel SC, mandel AB. Antimicrobial and Anti-inflamatory activity of folkore: Mallotus peltatus leaf extract. Journal of Ethanopharmacology. 2002; 82:229-237.

20.   Evans WC. Trease and Evans pharmacognosy.  Harcourt Brace and company, New Delhi (India),1998:14th ed.p.227

 

 

Received on 17.11.2009

Accepted on 20.12.2009   

© A&V Publication all right reserved

Research Journal of Pharmacognosy  and Phytochemistry. 2(1): Jan.-Feb. 2010, 57-60