Investigation of pharmacognostical characteristics and antimicrobial potential of Mikania micrantha leaves using ethanolic extract

Background: The Mikania Micrantha (a highly competitive invasive climber) is considered a major ecologicalthreat by many; however, it also contains various bioactive secondary metabolites that have medicinal potential.This plant has been used in ethnomedicine in South America and Southeast Asia for its use in the treatment ofwounds, fever, inflammation, and skin problems.Methods: Powdered fresh leaves were prepared and studied for their morphological characteristics through theuse of microscopic and cross-sectional examination. A powdered example of the sample that had been extractedby Soxhlet extraction with 95% ethanol was then used for qualitative phytochemical studies as well as thin-layerchromatography in order to determine secondary metabolites present in the sample and assess the effectivenessof the secondary metabolites identified and the efficacy against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteriaResults: The microscopy and cross-sections we were able to find some very important anatomical features. Anextractive value of 19.85% was achieved through Soxhlet extraction. A qualitative screening for compounds andthin-layer chromatography (TLC) demonstrated that the plant contains carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids,terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. Additionally, TLC identified one compound as having a significantRf = 0.976.In vitro antibacterial study describes stronger effectiveness against the Gram-negative bacteriumEscherichia coli (20 mm zone) in comparison to the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis (6 mm), whilegentamycin exhibited inhibition zones ranging from 34 to 40 mm. The antibacterial properties were linked to thepresence of sesquiterpene lactones, phenolics, and flavonoids, highlighting the antimicrobial potential of M.micrantha.Conclusion: Ethanol-soluble leaf extract of Mikania micrantha contains Gram-positive and Gram-negativeantibacterial phytochemical compounds that are effective for antibacterial properties. These may be used as asynthetic drug. The detailed information from this study would be helpful for the authentication of thismedicinal plant. These pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical observations can be considered forfurther studies.