Ethanomedicinally pteridophytic plants uses: antibacterial activity of fronds (leaves)

Abstract

The main objective of this research work is to screen various unexploited plants for their antimicrobial
activity as these unexploited or pteridophytic plants are being used ethanomedicinally but, very little
work has been done on antimicrobial aspects. So, to explore the efficacy of these plants, the following
research has been carried out. Bacterial strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Escherichia coli,
Salmonella arizonae, Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus were procured from the Institute of
Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Chandigarh and the aqueous and alcoholic leaves extract of twelve
important pteridophytic plants were prepared and tested for their antimicrobial activity against the
bacteria selected by Disc diffusion method as suggested by Bauer et al. (1966). It has been observed
that, nearly all the leaves extracts have shown inhibitory effect against the bacterial strains selected
and some of the extracts were more competent than the selected antibiotic. Our findings provide the
novel insights with regards to antimicrobial agents and these could be further enhanced through in vivo
studies and isolation and characterization of active constituents for human health. In the present
scenario, the use of herbs and herbal medicine is at its peak and majority of researchers are screening
higher plants for the same but, very few researchers are considering the lower plants for their
antimicrobial potential. Since, these pteridophytic plants are considered to be the disease free plants
and are being used ethanobotanically by various tribal communities. These plants are further screened
for their in vivo potential as well as for their drug properties.