Bio-Activity of Crude Alcoholic Extracts of Buffel Grass in different Solvents against some Pathogenic Microbes

Background: Natural products have long been the focus of researchers aiming to improve human health, develop medicines with minimal adverse effects, and extend human lifespans. These products, derived from plants, animals, marine life, and microorganisms, contain secondary metabolites known as phytochemicals, which exhibit various biological activities. The current investigation aimed to assess the phytochemical properties and antimicrobial potential of Cenchrus ciliaris Linn. (CAZRI-358) against significant human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Objective: The objective of this study was to conduct a phytochemical analysis and evaluate the inhibitory potential of crude alcoholic extracts of Cenchrus ciliaris Linn. against six important human pathogenic bacteria and three fungal strains. Methods: The plant material of Cenchrus ciliaris was shade-dried, crushed into powder, and successively extracted with methanol (CCWPM), hexane (CCWPH), and chloroform (CCWPC) using Soxhlet extraction. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed using both disc diffusion and serial dilution methods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone of inhibition (IZ) were calculated. The bacterial strains tested included Shigella sonnei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative), Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Bacillus subtilis (Gram-positive). The fungal strains tested included Microsporum canis, Aspergillus clavatus, and Candida albicans. Standard drugs imipenem (for bacteria) and miconazole (for fungi) were used as positive controls. Results: The highest yield was found in the methanolic extract (41.25 mg/g). Methanolic extracts showed maximum antibacterial activity with MIC values of 90.98 ± 0.05 µg/mL and IZ of 39 mm against Escherichia coli, 92.11 ± 0.06 µg/mL and IZ of 39 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 95.33 ± 0.06 µg/mL and IZ of 39 mm against Streptococcus pyogenes. The methanolic extract also exhibited significant antifungal activity with an MIC of 91.97 ± 0.03 µg/mL and IZ of 40 mm against Microsporum canis. Other extracts demonstrated notable but lesser antimicrobial activities. Conclusion: Cenchrus ciliaris Linn. contains vital bioactive components with significant antimicrobial properties, particularly in methanolic extracts. These findings suggest its potential in developing treatments for infections, chronic diseases, and conditions like Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Further research is needed to isolate specific bioactive compounds and understand their mechanisms of action.