Antibacterial activity of Calotropis procera against some common human pathogens

Calotropis procera (Oshaar, family Asclepiadaceae) is a species of flowering plant used as a folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments. This study aimed to evaluate antibacterial and antioxidant activities of C. procera aerial parts collected from Eastern Desert of Egypt (Wadi Hagul). The different extracts of C. procera aerial parts showed a significant antimicrobial inhibitory effect (P < 0.05) on growth of nine pathogenic bacterial using filter paper disc assay. Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening was carried out on water and different extracts. The present study indicated that this plant has a good inhibitory activity against Klebsiella pneumonia (21.3 mm), Escherichia coli (22.5 mm),  and Staphylococcus aureus (21.6 mm). Moreover, methanol extract of C. procera exhibited wide broad spectrum (100%) followed by petroleum ether and water extracts (60%, each). Activity index (AI) illustrated variable antibacterial activities, that support the folkloric usage of medicinal plants for treatment of infectious pathogenic microorganism. The crude extract of C. procera showed adequate antioxidant activity, wherein methanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts have an IC50 value of 0.81, 0.88 and 1.09 mg mL-1, respectively. Therefore, phytochemicals from C. procera could be used as a raw material for producing cheaper pharmaceuticals, pesticides in addition to many more important commercialized products of public use.