Abstract:
Ranunculus bulbous exhibit ant-inflammatory effect and growth inhibitory activity against a series of
pathogenic bacteria and fungus. Protoanemonin was proved to be the main bioactive compound
responsible for inhibition and bactericidal effect. The objective of this study to assess the
antimicrobial activity of Ranunculus bulbous against human pathogenic bacteria and fungus.
Antibacterial and antifungal activities of the plant under investigation was carried out using crude
extract through the application of n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol solvents. The
crude extracts were tested against S. aureus, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, Citrobacter, K. Pneumonia and
S. typhi and three fungal pathogens (Candida, Dandruff and Tina versicolor using agar well diffusion
at 100 mg/well in the presence of positive and negative controls. The minimum inhibitory
concentration of the extracts was determined by micro-broth dilution method using resazurin
colorimetric assay. Best effect was demonstrated by ethyl acetate and methanol to most tested
pathogens compared to the standard antibacterial drug Tetracycline and Ketoconazole. The average
minimum inhibitory concentration value of methanol, ethyl acetate, hexane and chloroform extracts
was ranged from (0.78±0.00 to 2.08±0.90mm, 0.19±0.00 to 1.3±0.00mm, 1.04±0.45 to 8.33±3.60mm
and 0.19±0.00 to 1.9±0.45mm), respectively against tested bacteria. The above extracts had minimum
inhibitory effect for tested fungal pathogens ranging from (0.19±0.00 to 0.78±0.00 mm, 0.19±0.00 to
0.39± 0.00, 1.52±0.22 to 75.00±0.00 and 0.65±0.22 to 1.56±0.00 mm), respectively. The lowest MBC
value of chloroform, (1.56±0.00 mg/ml), ethyl acetate (0.39±0.00 mm), methanol (0.39±0.00 mg/ml)
and hexane (12.5±0.00 mg/ml) against tested bacteria. The highest MFC values recorded by
chloroform and methanol were (1.56±0.00 and 6.25±0.00 mg/ml; 1.56. ±0.00 and 75.00±0.00 mg/ml).
The results indicated that ethyl acetate extract was potent and have significant inhibitory and
bactericidal/fungicidal effects to most of the tested organisms compared to other extracts. This can be
the possible alternative to answer the currently existing drug resistance problems. Further studies may
consider this plant as one of the best candidate for the discoveries potent antimicrobial compound
