PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF CASSIA TORA AGAINST ESBL-PRODUCING ESCHERICHIA COLI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial potential of Cassia tora ethanol extract against Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli. Cassia tora Linn., a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine, is rich in bioactive phytochemicals with diverse pharmacological properties. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of Cassia tora ethanol extract against Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli, a multidrug-resistant pathogen of global health concern. Fresh leaves and seeds of C. tora were collected, authenticated, shade-dried, and extracted using ethanol. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, saponins, steroids, quinones, and cardiac glycosides. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. The extract exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against ESBL-producing E. coli, producing a maximum inhibition zone of 14 mm at 200 mg/mL. MIC and MBC values were determined to be 100 mg/mL and 200 mg/mL, respectively, indicating both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects depending on concentration. Ciprofloxacin served as the positive control (20 mm zone), while DMSO showed no activity. The observed antimicrobial effects are attributed to the synergistic action of phytochemicals such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic compounds, which are known to disrupt bacterial cell walls, inhibit enzyme activity, and interfere with nucleic acid synthesis. These findings support the ethnomedicinal use of C. tora and highlight its potential as a natural source of antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens. The study recommends further research to isolate active compounds, evaluate toxicity, conduct in vivo studies, and develop potential herbal formulations to combat ESBL-producing bacteria.
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