3. Phytochemical screening and biological activities of Aloe vera (L.) Burm. F.
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Abstract
In the present work phytonutrients including tannins, phlobatannins, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides and terpenoids were investigated in Aloe vera plant. Leaves of Aloe vera were chosen for this investigation. The plants were collected from the botanical garden of Islamia College, Peshawar. The phytochemicals were determined quantitatively using different solvents. The leaves were also investigated to find its antibacterial and antifungal activities. All the photochemicals excepting Phlobotannins were found in all the extracts. Results revealed very profound activities of the plant extracts against the tested gram positive strains including Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atrophoeus and gram negative bacterial strains i.e. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi. The extracts also showed considerable activity against the tested fungal strains Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans.
Keywords: Alkaloids; Aloe vera; Cardiac Glycosides; Escherichia coli; Phlobatannins; Staphylococcus aureus; Steroids