Evaluation of antibacterial and anthelmintic activities with total phenolic contents of Piper betel leaves

Abstract

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial and anthelmintic activities and to determine total phenolic contents of methanolic extract of <em>Piper betel </em>leaves. <br/>Materials and Methods: The extract was subjected to assay for antibacterial activity using both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains through disc diffusion method; anthelmintic activity with the determination of paralysis and death time using earthworm (<em>Pheritima posthuma</em>) at five different concentrations and the determination of total phenolic contents using the Folin-ciocalteau method. <br/>Results: The extract showed significant (p<0.01) zone of inhibitions against gram positive <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> [(6.77±0.25) mm] and Gram negative <em>Escherichia coli</em> [(8.53±0.25) mm], <em>Salmonella typhi</em> [(5.20±0.26) mm], <em>Shigella dysenteriae</em> [(11.20±0.26) mm] compared to positive control Azithromycin (ranging from 20.10±0.17 to 25.20±0.35 mm) while no zone inhibitory activity was found for both the extract and the standard drug against Gram positive <em>Bacillus cereus</em>. The extract also showed potent anthelmintic activity requiring less time for paralysis and death compared to the standard drug albendazole (10 mg/ml). At concentrations 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/ml, leaves extract showed paralysis at mean time of 9.83±0.60, 8.50±0.29, 6.60±0.17, 6.20±0.44 and 4.16±0.60; death at 11.33±0.88, 9.67±0.33, 7.83±0.17, 7.16±0.60 and 5.16±0.72 minutes, respectively. Whereas the standard drug showed paralysis and death at 19.33±0.71 and 51.00±0.23 minutes respectively. The extract confirmed the higher concentration of phenolic contents (124.42±0.14 mg of GAE /g of extract) when screened for total phenolic compounds. <br/>Conclusion: Asresults confirmed potential antibacterial and anthelmintic activities of <em>Piper betel</em> leaves extract, therefore it may be processed for further drug research.