Antimicrobial and Antihypercholesterolemic Activities of Pulicaria gnaphalodes

Abstract

Multidrug resistance has increased globally in the communities. Bacterial infections associated with health care have weakened the existing antimicrobial therapy and demand the search for alternative therapies. In the present investigation, the medicinal plant Pulicaria gnaphalodes from Quetta, Pakistan, has been screened for antimicrobial potential. In vitro antimicrobial efficacy of P gnaphalodes extracts (methanol and ethanol) was quantitatively evaluated on the basis of zone of inhibition against different bacteria and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). In vivo, antihypercholesterolemic activity is determined in different rat groups. The results of the study indicated that the ethanol extract of P gnaphalodes showed maximum zone of inhibition for Bacillus subtilis of 12.1 ± 1.1 mm from all others. The methanol extract showed maximum zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus aureus of 11.9 ± 1.0 mm and rifampicin showed maximum zone of inhibition of 23.1 ± 0.9 mm. The results of ethanol and methanol extract of P gnaphalodes against different bacteria revealed that this plant has greater antimicrobial activity. However, the plant extract shows nonsignificant antihypercholesterolemic activity. The extract of this plant can be utilized as medicine to inhibit several infections caused by some bacterial pathogens found in human body.