Biophytum reinwardtii Extracts as Promising Alternative Agents against Pathogenic Bacteria

Aims: With the growing resistance of pathogenic microbes to antibiotics, the search for novel approaches to address this challenge has increased. In this instance, plant-based medicine emerges as a promising alternative, having been utilized by humans for centuries. Biophytum reinwardtii (commonly known as Gas nidikumba), a small herb from the Oxalidaceae family, has a long history of use in traditional medicine. This study aimed to provide scientific evidence of the antibacterial potential of the whole plant Biophytum reinwardtii against organisms commonly isolated from diabetic chronic wounds (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli), including their respective ATCC (American Type Culture Collection) strains.

Study Design: This research was conducted as a laboratory based in vitro experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: All the laboratory-based experiments were conducted at the Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Werahera, Sri Lanka. Between February 2023 and March 2024, cultures of test microorganisms were obtained from the clinical samples delivered for inspection to the microbiology laboratory at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

Methodology: The plant extracts were prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus with ethanol and methanol as solvents. Antibacterial activity was evaluated through disc diffusion and well diffusion assays, while the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the macro dilution method. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was conducted to identify the phytochemical constituents.

Results: Both extracts exhibited antibacterial activity exclusively against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) at concentrations of 100 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL in both well diffusion and disc diffusion assays, with the unexpected occurrence of heteroresistance. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, and alkaloids.

Conclusion: Biophytum reinwardtii has a promising potential as an antibacterial agent and the phytochemicals present may contribute to the plant's antibacterial properties, highlighting the need for further research on this plant.