Pharmacological and Phytochemical Screenings of Ethanol Extract of Sterculia villosa Roxb.

Abstract

The antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, membrane stabilization and anti-atherothrombosis activities of crude ethanol extract of leaves of Sterculia villosa Roxb. has been investigated. In antimicrobial assay by disc diffusion method, the extract showed mild to moderate antimicrobial activity with zone of inhibition ranging from 11-14 mm and 7-13 mm for test bacteria and fungi, respectively where the growth of Salmonella paratyphi and Pityrosporium ovale was strongly inhibited. In the in-vitro anti-atherothrombosis test, the crude extract exhibited 19.62% clot lysis as compared to the standard, streptokinase (81.53%). Moreover, the extract inhibited protein denaturation and haemolysis by 48% and 69.49% in the in-vitro anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilization test, respectively. Preliminary phytochemical screenings with the crude extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, reducing sugars and gums.

KEY WORDS: Sterculia villosa, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Membrane stabilization, Anti-atherothrombosis.