Volume No. 15(1) 15,March ,2025
M. Maridass
FISSD’S - Research Institute of Conservation Ecology (Run by Foundation for Innovative Science and Socio-Economic Development (FISSD’S), Arunagiri Complex, Palayamkottai Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu-627002,India.
Email: drmaridass@gmail.com; Mobile: : +91-9487567793
Abstract
Background:
The entire plant of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees has been traditionally utilized in Siddha and Ayurveda for addressing various ailments, including psoriasis, persistent skin eruptions, and painful swellings. This research study aimed to assess the antimicrobial properties of the L. lavandulaefolia flower and to analyze the phytochemical composition of the plant extract.
Methods:
The fresh flowers of Leucas lavandulaefolia were successively extracted using double-distilled water. The extract's active compounds were screened following standard protocols. The agar well diffusion method was assessed for antibacterial and antifungal activity against human pathogens. The antifungal activities of the extracts were compared with clotrimazole as the positive control and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as the negative control.
Results:
The antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of L. lavandulaefolia flower was found to be the highest against Salmonella typhi and S. aureus (14±0.43mm) and the fungus C. albicans (14±0.15mm), with the lowest activity observed against B. subtilis (12.9±0.12 mm). The aqueous extract of L. lavandulaefolia Rees flowers demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and essential oils. Furthermore, the isolated active components from the alkaloid residue exhibited the highest levels of antibacterial and antifungal activity.
Conclusions: The aqueous extract of L. lavandulaefolia flowers demonstrated in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities against Salmonella typhi, S. aureus, C. albicans, and A. niger. In the present study, active compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and anthocyanins may act as antimicrobial agents.
Keywords
: Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees. (Labiatae), herb, extract, medicinal plants, antimicrobial activity