Qualitative phytochemical analysis and antimicrobial activity studies of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br

Gymnema sylvestre R. Br., a medicinal plant belonging to the family Asclepiadaceae, is an important antidiabetic medicinal plant, commonly known as gudmar. The present study was undertaken to analyze the phytochemical components and for screening the antimicrobial activity of leaf extracts of Gymnema sylvestre. The qualitative analysis indicated the presence of alkaloids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, whereas sterols and anthraquinone glycosides were found to be absent in the methanolic extracts. Antimicrobial activity of G. sylvestre leaf extracts was studied. Aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts were studied against Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans for their antimicrobial efficacy. Tetracyline (0.1mg/ml) was used as positive control and methanol was used as negative control. The methanolic extract of the leaves were showing activity against all four tested microorganisms while aqueous leaf extracts found to be non effective. The antimicrobial activity was present for all four tested microorganism. The result of present investigation clearly indicates the antibacterial and antifungal activity of the plant and ascertains the value of this plant which could be of considerable interest to the development of new drugs.