Activity of <i>Bryophyllum pinnatum</i> S. Kurz extracts on respiratory tract pathogenic bacteria

Abstract

Ethanol extract of Bryophyllum pinnatum (commonly known as ‘Shuka halinka’ or ‘Karan masallachi’ in Hausa) (BP1) was partitioned into n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous methanol soluble fractions and labeled BP1–01, BP1–02, BP1–03 and BP1–04 respectively. These fractions were subjected to antibacterial testing against respiratory tract pathogenic bacteria. The n-hexane soluble fraction showed activity against the selected microorganism with highest on Staphylococcus aureus (12mm), Klebsiella pneumonia (11mm) and Salmonella typhi (08mm); ethyl acetate soluble fraction showed mild activity against Escherichia coli (06mm), Staphylococcus aureus (07mm) and Salmonella typhi (07mm), at 10mg/ml. The n-hexane soluble fraction was subjected to activity guided column chromatography. This leads to isolation of three bioactive compounds: BP1-01-01, BP1-01-33 and BP1-01-65. The activity of this plant’s extracts against the test bacteria coupled with the various phytochemical compounds present in the fractions is a pointer to the plant’s potential as a source of drugs that can be used against respiratory tract pathogens.

Keywords: Bryophyllum pinnatum, respiratory tract pathogens, phytochemical screening, antibacterial activity