Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: The antibacterial activity of an extract from Pergularia daemia leaves was tested against pathogenic bacteria. The test organisms were Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Proteus vulgaris. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract was determined using the disc diffusion method and the MIC of the isolated compound was tested by the broth microdilution method. The crude extract showed activity against Bacillus subtilis (15 mm) Staphylococcus aureus (17 mm) and Proteus vulgaris (20 mm). Minimum inhibitory concentrations for the ethyl acetate crude extract were determined against Staphylococcus aureus (300 µg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (200 µg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (500 µg/ml). The active extract was separated by column chromatography and six fractions were collected. Fraction V yielded a new compound, 6-(4, 7 dihydroxy-heptyl) quinone, which showed antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were recorded against Staphylococcus aureus (75 µg/ml), Bacillus subtilis (50 µg/ml) and Proteus vulgaris (100 µg/ml). The crude ethyl acetate extract of Pergularia daemia and the compound isolated from this exhibited activity against the tested bacteria.

Key words: Pergularia daemia, ethyl acetate extract, quinone, antibacterial activity, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis