Pharmacognostical, Antibacterial and Antifungal potentials of the leaf extracts of Pithecellobium dulce Benth

The hexane, chloroform, alcoholic and total alkaloidal extracts of the leaves of Pithecellobium dulce Benth. (Mimosoideae) were studied for their antimycobacterial activity by L J (Lowenstein –Jensen) method. The activity was compared with primary standard drug Rifamycin. The antifungal activity was also studied by screening against Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by disc diffusion method. The antifungal activity was compared with standard drugs Fluconazole and Nystatin at the concentration of 10µg /ml. The alcoholic and total alkaloidal extracts showed activity against Candida albicans at the concentration of 6.25µg/disc, 12.5µg/disc & 25µg/disc. The hexane, chloroform extracts were found to be inactive. On contrary, all the extracts of P.dulce were found to be inactive against Aspergillus niger. The Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that Mycobacterium tuberculosis is susceptible to the alcoholic & alkaloidal extracts of P. dulce. The alkaloidal extract of P. dulce showed high susceptibility against Mycobacterium tuberculosis at the concentration of 1mg/mL. While the alcohol extract showed activity at 2mg/mL. The concentration of primary standarad drug Rifamycin was 2.5µg/mL.Anatomical, histochemical &chromatographic studies were also carried out to fulfill the botanical quality control standards. The results of the investigation are discussed in detail.