COMBATTING COLISTIN RESISTANCE: FLAVONOIDS FROM NAGARMOTHA (CYPERUS ROTUNDUS) AGAINST BACTERIA ISOLATED FROM THE NARMADA RIVER

Narmada, a holy river of central India, was studied for the presence of colistin-resistant Gramnegative bacteria, through its course in Madhya Pradesh, and possible uses of ethanolic extract of Nagarmotha (Cyperus rotundus) were investigated. Out of 250 water samples, 83% showed presence of Gram-negative bacteria, including pathogenic forms, a higher percentage of which were resistant to colistin. The ethanolic extract of C. rotundus (Nagarmotha) was effective against more than 90% isolates, except Shigella sp. The flavonoid rich ethanolic extract of C. rotundus showed presence of flavonoids i.e., quinic acid, gallic acid, kaempferol, luteolin and quercetin, and some terpenoids, i.e., ursolic acid, acetic acid and rhamnetin when chromatographed via GC-MS. Cyperus rotundus extract showed potential as an adjunct to colistin therapy, particularly in combating colistin-resistant bacteria.