β-Sitosterol from Hymenocardia acida root extract and its antimicrobial activity

Based on its ethnomedicinal importance and previous report, root extracts of Hymenocardiaacida was
investigated in vitro for their antimicrobial activity. Dried, pulverized roots of H. acida were successively
extracted via Micro-wave Assisted Extraction (MAE) with hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol.Hexane,
ethylacetate and methanol extracts showed sensitivity against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcuspyogens,
Methicillin – resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
pneumoniae, Candida tropicalis, Candida stellatoidea. Minimum Inhibitory (MIC), Minimum Bactericidal
(MBC) and Minimum Fungicidal Concentrations (MFC) were carried out on the various extracts using tube
dilution technique. Graded concentrations of extract solutions in Mueller Hinton and Sabouraud dextrose agar
were used to test for bacteria and fungi, respectively. The most active ethyl acetate extract was further
separated using Vacuum Liquid chromatography. Collected fractions (sixty) were monitored via thin layer
chromatography (TLC) and similar fractions were combined. Combined fraction R-19 gave colourless needle
shaped solid (melting point, 136-140 0
C).Comparison of1
H-NMR data with literature reports led to the
conclusion that this solid was probably β-sitosterol, C29H50O. This may be the first compound to be isolated and
so identified from the roots of this plant. The antimicrobial study of this work justifies and supports traditional
use ofHymenocardiaacida in the treatment of various bacteria related ailments.