ABSTRACT
Fagonia cretica L.is traditionally used against many diseases including gastrointestinal and respiratory ailments. The present study reports its minimal inhibitory concentration against bacterial strains, Thus crude methanolic extracts of F. cretica was evaluated against 17 bacterial pathogenic strains and effective only against 17% of bacterial cultures as reflected by Proteus vulgaris, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus ,saprophyticus which showed minimal inhibitory concentration of 50 microg/ml, 50 |ng/ml and 100 |ig/ml, respectively with possibly due to synergistic actions of chemical composition but selectivity towards M. Luteus and Proteus vulgaris. Further fractionation of F. cretica crude methanolic extracts with hexane, ethyl acetate and water enhanced bactericidal activity [MIC 25 ng/ml] of the respective plant fractions against P. vulgaris. Similar magnitude of response with hexane and ethyl acetate fractions against Salmonella typhimurium were also noted, whereas crude extract was ineffective. A qualitative phytochemical screening revealed that F. cretica methanolic extract coumarins and diterpenes predominates while in water fraction it is saponins and hence are possibly be associated with antibacterial activity. On the other hand leucoanthocyanins and diterpenes were absent. Thus present study provides a scientific rational for medicinal use of F. cretica L. to treat gastrointestinal, urinary tract and respiratory tracts infections in humans. Further studies are required to isolate and identify the active coumarins, diterpenes and saponins-based lead molecules