Phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity of Vitex agnus-castus

Abstract

The leaves of Vitex agnus-castus was sequentially extracted in hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous medium and studied for in vitro antibacterial property. The ethyl acetate extract was found to be most active against all the bacterial species tested except K. pneumoniae. The best MIC value (0.312 mg/ml) was seen against MRSA. Active ethyl acetate extract was further studied for HPTLC fingerprint and phytochemical analysis. HPTLC analysis confirmed segregation of eight individual compounds with individual Rf values and peak area percentage. The results of phytochemical screening of extract revealed the presence of terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids and carbohydrates. This analysis revealed the high antibacterial activity in active ethyl acetate from Vitex agnus- castus. Key words: Antibacterial activity, drug resistant, minimum inhibitory concentration, phytochemical analysis, vitex agnus-castus