none 10.31254/phyto.2026.15102 BioMed Research Publishers BioMed Research Publishers 16195 192839258 316921 20260407010116640 10.31254 2026-04-07T01:01:23Z 2026-04-06T13:33:30Z 0 The Journal of Phytopharmacology J Phytopharmacol 2320480X 10.31254/phyto https://phytopharmajournal.com/ 03 30 2016 15 1 Kavyarani Rathod https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3327-2251 Jayasimha Rao https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0133-2862 Nirmala Kelmani https://orcid.org/0009-0009-4895-2274 Chandrakanth Kelmani R https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1400-0944 Background: Holarrhena antidysenterica is a medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for treating gastrointestinal disorders. Plant-derived antimicrobial agents have gained increasing attention as potential alternatives to synthetic drugs owing to the rising antimicrobial resistance. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profile and antibacterial and antifungal activities of the ethanolic extract of H. antidysenterica. Materials and Methods: Bark powder was macerated in 80% ethanol, and the resulting extract underwent qualitative phytochemical evaluation. Analysis revealed major groups such as alkaloids, phenolics, tannins, steroids, glycosides, and coumarins, whereas saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, proteins, and anthraquinones were not detected. Antibacterial efficacy was evaluated using the agar well diffusion assay against E. coli, and S. flexneri (MTCC strains) at extract concentrations between 50 and 200 µg/mL. Results: A clear dose-dependent inhibition was recorded, with the largest inhibition zone observed for E. coli (28 mm), followed by S. flexneri (24 mm) at 200 µg/mL, approaching the efficacy of standard azithromycin. The extract, however, did not display any measurable antifungal activity against C. albicans or A. niger. The antibacterial activity is due to the combined action of alkaloids, phenols, and tannins. Conclusion: These results support the traditional medicinal use of H. antidysenterica and indicate its potential as a natural antibacterial source for the development of plant-based antimicrobial agents. 03 30 2016 13 19 1 10.31254/biomed-crossmark-policy www.biomedresearch.org false 10.31254/phyto.2026.15102 https://phytopharmajournal.com/articles/abstracts/877/year=2026&vol=15&issue=1