Phytochemical and antimicrobial screening of medicinal plants for the treatment of acne

Abstract

28-32Extracts of Camellia sinensis Linn. leaves, Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn. roots and rhizome and Calendula officinalis Linn. flowers were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity using agar disc diffusion method. The antimicrobial activity of petroleum ether, dichloromethane and methanolic extracts of different parts of these plants were studied against acne causing bacteria, namely Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 96), Staphylococcus epidermidis (MTCC 2639) and Propionibacterium acnes (MTCC *1951). Methanolic extract of C. sinensis leaves possessed highest antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis. Lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (0.625 mg/mL) and minimum bactericidal concentration (2.5 mg/mL) against S. epidermidis were also observed for methanolic extract of C. sinensis leaves. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides and terpenoids which indicates that these phytoconstituents may be responsible for their anti-acne activity. </span