Extraction, Characterization and Pharmacological Evaluation of Aegle marmelos Leaves

Abstract

In the present day, antibiotic drugs are gradually becoming obsolete due to the development of antimicrobial resistance. As a result, the scientific community is in search of new antibiotic drugs which can be safely administered to the patents. Natural products are generally known for their nontoxic nature and many of them are known to produce a variety of pharmacological activities. The aim of this work is to extract the leaves of Aegle marmelos, phytochemical characterization of the extract, identification of phytoconstituents by thin layer chromatography, ATR-FTIR Spectroscopy of extract and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity. Extraction of the leaves of Aegle marmelos has been conducted using a Soxhlet apparatus. About 10.32% yield of extract was obtained. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic leaf extract by standard methods showed the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, saponins and triterpenoids which were confirmed by TLC. ATR-FTIR Spectroscopic study was conducted to determine the type of functional groups present in extract. The ethanolic leaf extract also produced antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and zone of inhibition was 14 mm and 16 mm respectively when compared to standard antibiotic tetracycline. From this research it can be inferred that ethanolic leaf extract of Aegle marmelos has antimicrobial activity because of the presence of secondary metabolites in it. Further investigation will hereby be conducted in future regarding the route of administration of the extract and the type of dosage form.