Screening for Antimicrobial Activity of Cissampelos pareira L. Methanol Root Extract

Aims: To screen for the antibacterial activity of Cissampelos pareira L. using six bacteria (Two Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae) and four Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus vulgaris). The phytochemicals that are responsible for the bioactivity were also screened.

Study Design: An In vitro antibacterial assay was done using disc diffusion.

Place and Duration of Study: Samples were collected from Mbeere community, Embu county-Kenya. Authentication of botanical identity was done at the department of biological sciences while extraction and phytochemical analysis was undertaken in the department of Chemistry, Egerton University-Kenya. Antimicrobial bioassay was carried out at Department of Microbiology, Rift Valley Provincial General Hospital.

Methodology: Disc diffusion test was used to determine antimicrobial activity to plant extracts. Chemical tests were used to determine the group of phytochemicals present in the sample extract.

Results: Cissampelos pareira L. methanol root extract demonstrated antibacterial activity to four of the six tested bacteria. The highest inhibition was demonstrated toward S. aureus (20 mm), S. typhimurium (17 mm), K. pneumoniae (14 mm) and E. coli at (9 mm). P. vulgaris and S. pneumoniae were not sensitive to the extract at all. The phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of all phytochemicals tested (alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and steroids).

Conclusion: This study reveals that Cissampelos pareira L. has antibacterial activity to both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. This antibacterial activity is associated with the variety of phytochemicals found in this plant. Therefore, the plant has potential to be harnessed for further study in drug discovery.