Evaluation of Bactericidal and Fungicidal Efficacy of Strychno spotatorum Linn. (Nirmali) Seeds

Aim: Diseases due to pathogenic microbes pose a great burden on human health and they have been correlated with socioeconomic, environmental, and ecological factors. The threat due to infectious diseases is further intensified by the continued emergence of new and multidrug resistant microorganisms. This scenario warrants a continuous search for antimicrobial agents preferably of plant origin due to their availability, accessibility, and affordability. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antifungal properties of Strychnos potatorum Linn (Nirmali) seeds using common pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains.

Methodology: Fresh and matured S. potatorum seeds were used for the present study. The powdered seeds were delipidated with petroleum ether (60-80°C) overnight and the extract was filtered. Soxhalation was performed with 95% ethanol to extract the phyto-ingredients from the seeds. Four Gram positive, four Gram negative, and eight fungal strains were used. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion and well diffusion methods. The Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) Minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC), Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were assayed.

Results: The data obtained through the disc diffusion, well diffusion, the minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentrations revealed that the ethanolic extract of the seeds possesses significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. The results obtained were compared with standard drugs widely prescribed for antimicrobial therapy.

Conclusion: The present study provides the scientific rationale for the use of Strychnos potatorum seeds in traditional medicine and a rich source of phytochemicals having significant antimicrobial activities.