Comparative Evaluation of Antimicrobial, Anthelmintic and Immunomodulatory Activities of Martynia annua and Pentanema indicum

The main aim of the present study is screen the phyto constituents and comparative evaluation of antimicrobial, anthelmintic and Immunomodulatory activities of Martynia annua (Martyniaceae) and Pentanema indicum (Asteraceae) hydroalcoholic extracts.In vitro antimicrobial activity was evaluated against gram positive bacteria (E.coli, P.aeruginosa), gram negative bacteria (B.subtilis, S.aureus) and fungal culture (Candida albicans, Candida krusei) by disc diffusion method at the concentration level of 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/ ml each extract compared with standard drug. MICs and combination antimicrobial effects were evaluated. Followed by extracts of Martynia annua L. and Pentanema indicum were taken for anthelmintic activity against Indian earthworms Pheretima posthuma at the concentrations of 10, 20 & 50mg/ml. Albendazole (20 mg/ml) was used as reference standard and the combination anthelmintic effect of the plant extracts (1:1) were evaluated. In vitro immunomodulatory potential of extracts was assay by evaluating the phagocytosis of Candida albicans by a human neutrophil assay. Individual extracts show narrow spectrum of antimicrobial action, but in the combination, it shows broad spectrum and potent antibacterial action. Combination only possesses mild antifungal action as compared to the individual extract on fungal species. Pentanema indicum and combination have shown more significant anthelmintic action. Both the extracts had shown dose dependent increases in phagocytosis stimulation, combinations possess more significant Immunomodulation action. Based on the results combination of hydroalcoholic extracts of Martynia annua and Pentanema indicum is much beneficial and non-toxic in unspecified as compared to the synthetic medicines. Further isolation and characterization of phyto constituents and in vivo evaluations are needed to explore these extracts as phyto medicines against pathogenic microorganisms.