Study of Antimicrobial Activity of Orchis Latifolia

Orchis latifolia belonging to the family Orchidaceae is extensively used in traditional Indian medicine against a wide spectrum of ailments including dysentery, diarrhoea, chronic fever, wounds, burns, fractures and general weakness. The present study relates to the bioactive extracts from O. latifolia against multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria and Candida albicans. Methanolic extract of O. latifolia was prepared and subsequently partitioned with various solvents. The extracts and fractions were evaluated for antimicrobial activities to identify the most active fractions. The bioactive fractions were studied by thin layer chromatography and direct bioautography. The nHex fraction was identified as most active against MDR clinical isolates. The EtOAc fraction showed maximum activity against C. albicans. Phytochemical analysis of the active fractions demonstrated the presence of flavanoids, steroids and tannins. The antimicrobial activity of O. latifolia might be attributed due to the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, steroids and tannins. The bioautography of these two active fractions exhibited the presence of few important chemical constituents which could serve as a promising lead against MDR target drug discovery.