Anti-Escherichia coli and Anti-Candida albicans Perspectives of Lagerstroemia speciosa Root Extract

Abstract

One of the privileged members of the Lythraceae family, Lagerstroemia speciosa, is a semi-deciduous plant of medium height (30 m-35 m) that grows fairly in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. On searching the databases, it was perceived that no anti-microbial activity of root methanolic extract of L. speciosa (RELS) has been reported yet against Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. The present research endeavors exploring the anti-bacterial potentials of this plant against Escherichia coli as well as anti-fungal potentials against Candida albicans. The in vitro contemporary study indicated the anti-bacterial perspective (7.2 mm) and anti-fungal potential (9.5 mm) of root extract of L. speciosa at MIC value of 25 μg/ml. The phytochemicals like flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, and phenolic principles mediated the bactericidal and fungicidal activities. However, the activities were found to be relatively low as compared to the standard drugs due to the low lipophilic nature of the active extract products. The investigation is an effort pertaining toward the exploration of naturally available resources that are at present is globally acceptable by the masses owing to better tolerability and safety perspectives.