Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaf Extract

Bryophyllum pinnatum (Lam.) Kurz, perennial herb from the Crassulaceae family, is widespread in tropical Africa, tropical America, India, China, and Australia, and is extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Both native and exotic, the plant is important to traditional healers for treating a range of ailments including kidney stones, high blood pressure, asthma, colds, abscesses and bleeding disorders. Renowned for its haemostatic and wound healing properties, it has become a staple in traditional medicine for treating various ailments.The methanol extractsof Bryophyllum pinnatum were investigated for their phytochemical constituents and activity against selected microorganisms. Phytochemicals found present were reducing sugars, saponins, steroids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and phenols. The test microorganisms were Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Microsporum spp and Trichophyton rubrum. This article reviews and discusses pharmacological studies, highlighting that diverse extracts from Bryophyllum pinnatum demonstrate pharmacological activities, including immunomodulation, CNS depression, analgesia, antimicrobial effects, anti-inflammatory responses, antiallergic and antianaphylactic properties, antileishmanial activity, antitumorous effects, antiulcer properties, antibacterial and antifungal actions, antihistamine and antiviral effects, febrifuge activity, gastroprotective qualities, immunosuppression, insecticidal properties, and muscle relaxation, along with sedative effects.