Antifungal Activity Screening and HPLC Analysis of Crude Extract from Tectona grandis, Shilajit, Valeriana wallachi

摘要

The antifungal activity of methanolic crude extract of Tectona grandis, Shilajit, Valeriana wallachi was investigated against Alternaria cajani, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium sp., Bipolaris sp. and Helminthosporium sp. at different concentrations (1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 and 5000 μg/ml). Better antifungal activity was observed with the extracts of Valeriana wallachi, that showed excellent inhibitory activity against Helminthosporium sp. (96.15%) followed by Shilajit extract against Alternaria cajani (95.12 %) and Helminthosporium sp. (95.00 %) at concentration of 5000 μg/ml. Among different fungi tested Bipolaris sp. and Fusarium were found to be more sensitive to crude extract when compared to others. The increase in the production of phenolics in the extract can be correlated with the induction of resistance in treated plants against phytopathogenic fungi. HPLC analysis of the crude extract of medicinal plants showed four different Phenolic acids (Tannic acid, Gallic acid, Ferulic acid and Caffeic acid). The results of the study provide scientific basis for the use of the plant extract in the future development as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory agent. Introduction Medicinal plants as a group comprise approximately 8000 species and account for around 50% of all the higher flowering plant species of India. Over one and a half million practitioners of the Indian System of Medicine use medicinal plants in preventive, promotive and curative applications. In recent years, secondary plant metabolities (Phytochemicals), previously with unknown pharmacological activities, have been extensively investigated as a source of medicinal agents 1 . The World Health Organization (WHO) has given guidelines to the member states to ensure about genuine use of plants and their parts before their use for human health. 2 Tectona grandis Linn. is commonly known as sagon, sagwan and belongs to family verbenaceae and is one of the most important heart wood of the world over. According ayurveda, wood is acrid, colling laxative sedative to gravid uterus and useful in treatment of piles, leucoderma and dysentery. It allays thirst and possess anthelmintic and expectorant properties 3 . Tectona grandis leaf extract are widely used in the folklore for the treatment of various kinds of wound, especially burn wound 4 . Shilajit, described as India's wonder drug, is used in Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. The botanical name name of shilajeet is asphaltum (mineral pitch). Shilajit contains atleast 85 minerals in ionic form as well as humic acid and fulvic acid. Shilajit works effectively as a vitality increasing tonic. It helps in metabolism, stimulates our energy levels, fight against diabetes and regulates blood sugar balance. It boots the immune system and acts an anti-oxidant. It can be used in its raw form for animistic ritual and dream enhancement ceremonies or in its super purified form for enhancing both mental and psychospiritual activity of the brain 5 .Valerian is a well known and frequently used medicinal herb that has a long and proven history of efficacy. It is note specially for its effect as a tranquilliser and nervine, particularly for those people suffering from nervous overstrain 6 . Valeriana has been shown to encourage sleep, improve sleep. It is also used internally in the treatment of painful menstruation, cramps, hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome etc. 7 . It shoud not be prescribed for patients with liver problem. Externally it is used to treat eczema, ulcers and minor injuries 8 . The root is antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, hypnotic, powerfully nervine sedative and stimulant 9 . Various extract of medicinal plants have shown inhibitory effects against phytopathogenic fungi in vitro 10 . Diverse pharmacological activities have been accredited to Phenolic acids by HPLC for instance gallic acid has inflammatory 11 , antibacterial 12 ; caffeic acid with anti-inflammatory 13 ; ferul