title: Efficacy of Aqueous and Methanolic Extracts ofRheum Spiciformisagainst Pathogenic Bacterial and Fungal Strains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rheum spiciformisis a newly identified edible medicinal plant of genusRheum. The plant is used to treat various diseases on traditional levels in Kashmir Valley, India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the phytochemical screening, antibacterial and antifungal potential of aqueous and methanolic extracts ofRheum spiciformis, a traditionally used edible medicinal plant.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methanolic and aqueous extracts ofRheum spiciformiswere tested for their antimicrobial activities against six bacterial strains namelyBacillus subtilis,Staphylococcus aureus,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Proteus vulgarisandEscherichia coliand four fungal strainsPenicillium chrysogenum,Aspergillus fumigatus,Candida albicansandSaccharomyces cerevisiae.The susceptibility of microbial strains to the two extracts was determined using agar well diffusion method. Phytochemical screening was carried out by using various standard procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Methanolic extract showed potent antimicrobial activity as compared to aqueous extract at the concentrations of 10, 30, 50, 80 and 100mg/ml. The most susceptible bacterial strains wereStaphylococcus aureuswith zone of inhibition (25±0.10mm),Klebsiella pneumonia(23±0.25mm),Proteus vulgaris(22±0.10mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml. Aqueous extracts at the higher concentration were found effective againstProteus vulgarisandBacillus subtiliswith zone of inhibition (17±0.24mm) and (17±0.10mm), respectively. Among fungal strains the most susceptible wereAspergillus fumigatus(21±0.10mm),Saccharomyces cerevisiae(20±0.20mm) andPenicillium Chrysogenum(17±0.15mm) at the concentration of 100mg/ml methanol extract. The zone of inhibition for aqueous extract against fungal strains ranged between 14±0.13mm to 16±0.19mm at the highest concentration of plant extract. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of various secondary metabolites like flavonoids, saponins, volatile oils, phenols, steroids, terpenoids and alkaloids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that this plant has enough potential to serve as an excellent candidate for obtaining antimicrobial compounds to combat bacterial and fungal infections.
authors: M.Phil Student, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Khalid Bashir
authors: KB
authors: Dar
authors: PhD Student, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Aashiq Hussain
authors: AH
authors: Bhat
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Shajrul
authors: S
authors: Amin
authors: M.Phil Student, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Suhail
authors: S
authors: Anees
authors: Professor and Dean, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Akbar
authors: A
authors: Masood
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Mohammed Iqbal
authors: MI
authors: Zargar
authors: Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir , Jammu and Kashmir, India .
authors: Showkat Ahmad
authors: SA
authors: Ganie
keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Extracts; Phytochemicals