01. Phytochemical analysis, antifungal bioassay and folklore uses of selected medicinal plants of family Rosaceae
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Abstract
Keeping in view the traditional uses of medicinal plants, this study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal activity of selected members of family Rosaceae for the first time. Activity of Rosa indica L. Prunus amygdalus L. and Prunus armeniaca L was evaluated against the Penicillium digitatum L. Antifungal activity of the aforementioned plant extracts were indicated by the measuring zone of inhibition on agar plate. Highest activity against the test strain of fungus was recorded in ethanol extracts of the selected plants. Antifungal activity of extracts from the selected plants was dependent on the concentration of the extracts with highest activity being recorded when its strength was 15%. Maximum zone of inhibition (19.6 mm) was formed against the test fungus exposed to 15% root extract of R. indica L. taken in ethanol. However, aqueous root extract of the same plant was less effective indicating that the bioactive compound(s) in the root were of relatively low polarity. Bioactive compounds of the other two plants were also of low polarity as their activity was relatively greater when extracted in ethanol than that in aqueous extract. Contrary to R. indica, Leave of P. armeniaca were seat of high amount of bioactive compounds. While flavonoids and tannin were recorded in all samples, alkaloids and carbohydrates were found only in R. indica L. Similarly, fixed oil and fats were present in P. amygdalus L. and P. armeniaca L only. According to antifungal activity the aforementioned plants can be arranged as R. indica L.>P. armeniaca L.>P. amygdalus L. It may be concluded that these plants may be of great medicinal value and may provide a source of valuable novel compounds.
Keywords: Medicinal plants; antifungal activity; Penicillium digitatum L.