Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Properties of Tiliacora triandra Stem Bark

Aim: Tiliacora triandra (T. triandra), a species of Menispermaceae family, has folkloric reputation for the treatment of several diseases including infectious diseases in Thailand and neighboring countries. The present study aimed at screening the stem bark of T. triandra for its phytochemical constituents and its antimicrobial potential against selected bacteria and fungi.

Materials and Methods: The dried stem bark of T. triandra was extracted with methanol and qualitative phytochemical analysis was performed. The antimicrobial activity was determined by disc diffusion assay method against some bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by serial dilution method to establish the antimicrobial potential of the extract.

Results: Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides. Susceptibility testing by disc diffusion assay showed significant antimicrobial activity against the tested pathogens. The highest antibacterial activity was observed against a Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) where the zones of inhibition were 15 mm and 21 mm at the potencies of 250 and 500 µg/disc, respectively. The stem bark extract also showed moderate activity against Shigella sonnei (14 mm), Shigella dysenteriae (13 mm), Agrobacterium spp (13 mm) bacteria and fungus, Aspergillus niger (14 mm) at 250 µg/disc. The results also revealed equal MIC and MBC values of 62.5ug/mL against E. coli.

Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the methanol extract of T. triandra possesses potent antimicrobial activity which may be attributed to the identified phytochemical components of the plant extract.