Preliminary Phyto-profile and Pharmacological Evaluation of some Extracts of Cenchrus grass against Selected Pathogens

Aim: The aim of present study is to investigate the antimicrobial activity of Cenchrus ciliaris (CAZRI-358) and Cenchrus setigerus (CAZRI-76) extracts in order to use it as a possible source for new antimicrobial substances against important human pathogens. Methods and Results: Crude extracts of different parts of both species of Cenchrus were evaluated against three medically important bacteria viz. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-ve), Bacillus Subtilis (Gram +ve), Enterobacter aerogens (Gram-ve) and one fungi Aspergillus flavus. The dried and powdered parts (root, stem, leaf and seed) were successively extracted with petroleum ether (PE), ethyl acetate (EA) and glacial acetic acid (GAA) using soxhlet assembly. The antimicrobial activity assay was done by both disc diffusion and serial dilution methods. The highest yield was found in root extract in different polar solvents. Maximum antibacterial activities were observed by GAA extracts of seed in both species of Cenchrus against Bacillus Subtilis and antifungal activity by root extract of C. ciliaris. Conclusion: Cenchrus grass easily grows in harsh climatic conditions or xeric conditions and requires less care, hence its use as raw material for preparing drugs would definitely be economical. Significance and Impact of Study: The present investigation provides a scientific basis for the use of these plant extracts in home-made remedies and their possible application against micro-organisms.