Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous and Ethanolic Extracts of Tribulus terrestris (Zygophyllaceae)

Abstract

This study was carried out with an objective to investigate the antibacterial and antifungal potentials of leaves of Tribulus terrestris. The aim of the study is to assess the antimicrobial activity and to determine the zone of inhibition of extracts on some bacterial and fungal strains. In the present study, the bacterial activity of aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaves of Tribulus terrestris. The extracts was evaluated for potential antimicrobial activity against medically important bacterial and fungal strains. The antimicrobial activity was determined in the extracts using agar disc diffusion method. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of Tribulus terrestris extracts (100, 200 µg/ml) were evaluated against two human pathogenic bacteria strains: one fungal strain, Candida albicans and one Gram-positive, Streptococcus pyogenes and one Gram-negative, Klebsiella pneumoniae. The extracts' zones of inhibition were compared to those of other standards, such as the antibacterial activity of amikacin and the antifungal activity of ketoconazole. The outcomes demonstrated a striking reduction of bacterial growth when seen against the species under test. The plants' phytochemical analyses were completed. Tribulus terrestris exhibites microbial activity as a result of the existence of several secondary metabolites. Therefore, it is possible to find bioactive natural compounds from these plants that could lead to the establishment of new pharmaceutical research initiatives.