In-vitro anti-bacterial activity and phytochemical screening of crude extracts of Catharanthus roseus L. (G) Don.

Present study aims to investigate phytochemical analysis as well as in vitro antimicrobial activity of crude aqueous, methanol, ethanol, chloroform and petroleum ether extracts from leaves of C. roseus. Antimicrobial activity of extract was studied against various bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium smegmatis). Qualitative preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed that alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, amino acid and cardiac glycosides are present in the extracts. The result for total phenol and flavonoids content was the highest in methanol and the lowest in petroleum ether crude extract. The study revealed that inhibition significantly depend upon the solvent used for extraction and bacterial strain tested for susceptibility. Aqueous extracts were found less efficient as compared to organic solvent. Methanolic extract were found more effective against tested microbes.