ASSESSMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS AGAINST HUMAN PATHOGENIC BACTERIA AND FUNGI

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