Antibacterial activity of Senna alata leaf extracts against coliform bacteria isolated from Bhogdoi river water of Jorhat District of Assam, India

Abstract

Infectious diseases are increasing day by day due various factors such as climate change, population explosion, antibiotic resistance etc. To treat these diseases synthetic drugs have been used. But use of these drugs gives adverse side effects on human body. So, an alternative way of treating these diseases is a much-needed call of this era. Natural or plant-based medicines could be used in place of synthetic drugs as they are cheaper in price and less or no toxic side effects. North east India specially Assam is blessed with biological diversity, hence numerous medicinally important plants and herbs are available here. But only a small section of it have been explored scientifically for their activities. In this study, Senna alata (Fabaceae) had been selected to evaluate its antibacterial activity against Coliform bacteria (E. coli) isolated from Bhogdoi river water from Jorhat district of Assam. This plant is traditionally used by the local people of Assam against skin infections like ringworm and also used as a laxative. Phytochemical analysis of the leaf extract showed the presence of phytochemicals like phenol, flavonoid, tannin, steroid, alkaloid etc. Methanolic and aqueous leaf extract of Senna alata were tested against Coliforms (E. coli) and results showed that methanolic leaf extract possessed higher antibacterial activity than the aqueous extract. These findings confirmed that due to presence of phytochemicals present in the leaf extracts of Senna alata showed antibacterial activity Coliform (E. coli) bacteria. However further study would be required to isolate its bioactive components and its pharmaceutical potential.