Abstract

ANTAGONISTIC, ANTIOXIDANT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES AGAINST BACTERIA CAUSING URINARY INFECTIONS

*Dr. Divya P.V. and Dr. K. Sukesh

ABSTRACT

The present study was designed to determine the antagonistic activity exhibited by the medicinal plant, Vetiveria zizanioides against bacteria causing urinary infections, and to screen the antioxidant potentials and the phytochemical constituents possessed by them. Various solvent extracts of the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides were prepared and evaluated for their antagonistic activities against urinary tract infection causing bacteria by agar well and disc diffusion methods. The phytochemical screening of the extracts was done qualitatively and the antioxidant potentials were determined by DPPH assay. The results of the antagonistic activity of Vetiveria zizanioides assessed by agar well and disc diffusion methods revealed that the plant extracts possess remarkable antagonistic properties against bacteria causing urinary infections. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, reducing sugars and coumarins. However, the extracts were found to possess low level of antioxidants. From the above study, it can be concluded that the roots of Vetiveria zizanioides can be considered as a candidate to develop novel drugs against bacteria causing urinary infections.

Keywords: Antagonistic activity, phytochemical screening, antioxidant activity, roots, Vetiveria zizanioides.