Phytochemical Investigation and Antibacterial Activity Assessment of Zehneria scabra (L.f) Sond (ሀረግ ሬሣ) Leaves Extract

Abstract

This study was intended to identify chemical constituents of methanol (99%) leaves extract of Zehneria scabra (L.f) Sond. The crude extract fractions were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the agar well diffusion method at 100 mg/ml concentrations in the presence of positive control. The phytochemical was isolated and purified by using preparative thin-layer chromatography (in a solvent system of 10% ethyl acetate: 90% chloroform). The structure of the isolated component was determined by using a combination of spectroscopic techniques such as IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and DEPT-135 spectra. The phytochemical screening of methanol crude extract indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and tannins. The chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction revealed more potent antibacterial activities.