Preliminary evaluation of the phytochemical constituents and anti-microbial activity of leaf extracts of Rhexia virginica plant

Thisrnstudy evaluated the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of Rhexiarnvirginica plant on six selected microorganisms with the purpose ofrndetermining the pharmacological significance and medicinal value of the plant.rnThe in-vitro antimicrobial studies of the leaf extract were done usingrnstandard bacterial and fungal strains. The phytochemical screening of the Rhexiarnvirginica extract showed the presence of cardiac glycosides, alkaloids,rnsaponins, flavonoids, terpenoids and tannins. Ethanolic leaf extract of Rhexiarnvirginica exhibited antimicrobial activity against the tested microbialrnstrains at concentrations ranging from 100 mg/mL to 12.5 mg/mL. The minimumrninhibitory concentrations of the leaf extract against the six microbial strainsrnranged between 0.195 mg/mL and 0.78 mg/mL. The results showed that the leafrnextract had significant antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive andrngram-negative bacteria as well as fungi which suggests that Rhexia virginicarnis a potential source of novel antimicrobial agent.