Preliminary phytochemical analysis, antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activities of successive extracts of Crossandra infundibuliformis

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the phytochemical, antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activity of successive extracts of Crossandra infundibuliformis (Acanthaceae) leaves. METHODS: Preliminary screening on the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, flavanoids, tannins, carbohydrates, terpenoids, oils and fats were carried out by phytochemical analysis. The antibacterial, antifungal and anticandidal activities were done by agar well diffusion technique. RESULTS: The successive extracts have an array of chemical constituents and the MIC values of antibacterial activity ranges from 0.007 8 to 0.015 0 μg/mL. In case of antifungal and anticandidal activities the MIC values were between 0.125 and 0.250 μg/mL. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the leaf extracts of C. infundibuliformis presents excellent antimicrobial activities and thus have great potential as a source for natural health care products.