Alkaloids - the healers in medicinal plants

Abstract

Medicine has its roots in natural plant products. Plant cells are highly sophisticated chemical factories which produce secondary metabolites like alkaloids which possess significant biological properties. They are bio-chemical interfaces between the producing plant and its surrounding environment. The relationship between human immune system and plant anti-oxidants is known and alkaloids are reported to have anti-cancerous as well as immune stimulant properties. This study investigates two easily accessible medicinal plants, Pongamia pinnata and Phyllanthus niruri with reference to their anti-microbial effects and presence of alkaloids in their leaf extracts. They exhibit good anti-microbial activity against a few bacterial pathogens causing common infections. MIC of aqueous extract of P. pinnata for M. luteus was found to be 0.0256 gm while that of P. niruri for S. aureus was found to be 0.1826 gm of plant material. The aqueous extracts of Pongamia pinnata and Phyllanthus niruri were both found effective in inhibiting the growth of ten and eight pathogens respectively, responsible for common infections. Their bio-active components were analyzed with the help of High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and showed peaks corresponding to alkaloids. Thus alkaloids can be concluded as one of the healers in plants and the natural bio resources under investigation may prove to be of significance in naturopathy and possess properties which may be further investigated.