Evaluation of Antibacterial activity of aqueous extract of Cucumis melo

 

B. Revathi¹*, B. Sasidhar², G. Raveendra Babu³, J. Divyalatha⁴, Ch. Devadasu³, D. Dhachinamoorthi⁵

¹Department of Pharmacology, QIS College of Pharmacy, Vengamukkapalem, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India.

²Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, QIS College of Pharmacy, Vengamukkapalem, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India.

³Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, QIS College of Pharmacy, Vengamukkapalem, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India.

⁴Department of Pharmacology, ASN Pharmacy College, Tenali, Andhra Pradesh, India.

⁵Department of Pharmaceutics, QIS College of Pharmacy, Vengamukkapalem, Ongole, Andhra Pradesh, India.

 

ABSTRACT:

Plant-based phytochemicals are promising antibiotics for treating microbial illnesses in humans. The purpose of the current study is to assess the antibacterial properties of an aqueous Cucumis melo extract against Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. The Agar well diffusion method is initially used to assess the antibacterial activity of the fruit's aqueous extract against the gram’s positive B. subtilis and the gram’s negative organism E. coli. Results reveal that, in comparison to the control, the Cucumis melo aqueous fruit extract at two dose levels of 200 µg/ml and 400µg/ml significantly increases the zone of inhibition of microorganisms. Additionally, a very large zone of inhibition was seen at 400µg/ml dosage. The difference between the mean values of 200 and 400µg/ml was also encouraging. The aqueous extract exhibits a considerable dose, in conclusion.

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

As natural medicine gains popularity, more people may look into the potential of employing natural remedies in addition to conventional therapy, as is already the case in some minority cultures. Additionally, natural compounds continue to be a significant source of new drug discoveries¹. According to a study², 119 plant species continue to be used in Arabic traditional medicine. There are 40 plant species for treating skin conditions, 27 for renal and urinary tract problems, 21 for treating diabetes, 23 for digestive system problems, 22 for liver problems, and 16 for treating respiratory conditions.

 

 

Plant-based natural products could open up new opportunities for medicinal development. Despite the fact that thousands of plant species have undergone pharmacological testing³. Cucumis melo fruit is used to treat a variety of diseases. Fruit and roots provide therapeutic benefits. Vitamin A, folate, and flavonoids like ß-carotene, lentin, xanthin, and cryptoxanthin are all abundant in C. melo. Evaluations of its numerous pharmacological actions have been conducted. Current knowledge on the phytochemical components and antibacterial properties of C. melo is covered in the current study⁴.

 

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The fruits of Cucumismelo were collected from market, Guntur.The collected fruit was botanically identified and confirmed by using local flora such as flora of Andhrapradeshas Cucumis melo F. and an excursion of flora of central Andhrapradesh, India. The fresh fruits were collected and then morphological features of specimen were studied directly in the field and were photographed. Fresh fruit parts were collected and kept separately in polythene bags. These materials are dried under shade separately in the laboratory for 3-4 days and dried parts were stored in dry polythene bags for carrying out phytochemical and biological investigations.

 

Preparation of extract:

Fresh fruit was gathered, dried in the shade, and powdered. 200 cc of water and 100g of powder were extracted over the course of 24 hours. Using a mechanical shaker and Whatman's filter paper, filtration was carried out twice at room temperature for 4 hours. The crude extract was then dried at 40°C under decreased pressure and vacuum. The obtained extract was thus employed for additional pharmacological analysis.

 

Preliminary phytochemical screening:

All of the extracts underwent preliminary phytochemical screening before being exposed to the established procedures.

 

Antimicrobial activity:

Aqueous extract of selected fruit was used to prepare various concentrations such as 200, 400µg/ml. These were used for the screening of antimicrobial potential compared with respective standard antibiotic (200µg/ml).

 

Test microorganism:

The following bacterial strains were used to test the effectiveness of various antibiotics. All of the human pathogen microbial strains utilised were purchased from NCIM's Resource Center in Pune. Escherichia coli (NCIM No. 2137), a Gram’s-negative bacteria, and Bacillus subtilis (NCIM No. 2010), a Gram’s-positive bacteria.

 

Determination of antimicrobial activity:

Using the Well Agar Diffusion method, the antibacterial activity of Cucumis melo fruit extract is assessed against the gram’s positive organism B.subtilis and the gram’s negative organism E. coli. Agar, peptone, and beef extract in the correct amounts were weighed out, diluted in distilled water, and autoclaved at 121°C for 15 minutes to sanitise them. The assay media was chilled to 50°C before the plates were constructed with bores. The test organisms were then injected onto these plates. The agar wells were filled with 0.1ml of the test compounds, standard, and control, and they were then incubated at 37°C for 18 to 24 hours. After 24 hours, a scale was used to assess the zone of inhibition the aqueous extract at 200 and 400µg/ml produced.

 

RESULTS:

Preliminary phytochemical screening:

The preliminary phytochemical screening (Table 1) shows the presence of Carbohydrates, phenols, flavonoids, tannins. While, proteins, glycosides, steroids, terpenes are absent.

 

Table 1 Preliminary phytochemical screening of aqueous extract of Cucumis melo

Phytoconstituents	Result
Carbohydrates	+
Proteins	-
Glycosides	-
Phenols	+
Flavonoids	+
Steroids	-
Terpenes	-
Tannins	+

 

Table 2 Antimicrobial activity of aqueous extract of Cucumis melo

Microorganisms	Zone of inhibition in mm
	Cucumis melo aqueous extract 200µg/ml	Cucumis melo  aqueous extract 400µg/ml	Standard 200 µg/1ml	Control
Escherichia coli	17	19	25	12
Bacillus subtilis	15	20	23	13

 

 

Escherichia coli

 

 

Bacillus subtilis

Fig 1: Zone of Inhibition aqueous extract of Cucumis melo against microorganisms

 

Fig 2: Antimicrobial activity of (Zone of Inhibition) aqueous extract of Cucumis melo against microorganisms

 

Antimicrobial activity:

This study's analysis of the antibacterial activity of Cucumis melo's aqueous extract reveals that treatment with Cucumis melo at two dose levels—200µg/ml and 400µg/ml —significantly reduced microbial growth when compared to the control group. The group at 400 µg/ml had a sizable zone of inhibition. The fact that there was a significant difference between the mean results of 200 and 400µg/ml indicates that the extract's activity is dosage dependent. The outcomes are displayed in Table 2 and Figure 2.

 

DISCUSSION:

Cucumis melo extract included phenols, flavonoids, tannins, and reducing sugars, according to phytochemical studies. It has been demonstrated that phenols and flavonoids may be responsible for the anti-microbial activity⁵. These findings showed that the plant has a sizable number of chemical components, which may be the cause of the plant's wide range of pharmacological effects. Although their precise functions were not examined in this study, it has been noted that the majority of active plant substances include flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, and alkaloids^6-17. Even if there are many antibiotics on the market, the growing capacity of microorganisms to acquire multidrug resistance has compelled scientists to look for new, effective bioactive compounds of herbal origin. The study's findings revealed that tests are conducted on Cucumismelo fruit extract.

 

ACKNOWLEDEMENT:

The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Dhachinamoorthi, the principal of QIS College of Pharmacy in Ongole, A.P. We thank the college administration for providing the facilities needed to conduct this research.

 

 

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Received on 27.08.2022       Modified on 24.11.2022

Accepted on 17.01.2023       ©A&V Publications All right reserved