Evaluation of In-vitro Anti-bacterial and Blood Coagulation Effects in Leaves of Justicia gendarussa

Abstract

As folklore medicine, leaves of Justicia gendarussa have been used for wound healing effects in several countries. Ethanolic extract of leaves of J. gendarussa had been examined in vitro for anti-microbial activities. This study aimed to evaluate the in-vitro blood coagulation and anti-bacterial effects of its aqueous leaf extract. Plant was authenticated by National Herbarium, Peradeniya. The crude extract was prepared by homogenizing the leaves in water for 24 hours, followed by filtration and centrifugation. In phytochemical screennig, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and carbohydrates were found in crude extract. The anti-bacterial activity was tested against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25983), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using the disc diffusion method. Synergistic activity was evaluated for the crude extract by comparing the zone of inhibition with framycetin sulphate. Blood coagulation activity was evaluated by comparing clotting time with a concentration series of tranexamic acid and a concentration series of crude aqueous extract. In the anti-bacterial assay, zone of inhibition against MRSA was increased for the combination of framycetin sulphate and the crude extract than framycetin sulphate alone. In the blood coagulation assay, minimum clotting time was observed for the tranexamic acid which was employed as the positive control at the concentration of 125 mg/mL, while the clotting time was increased at concentrations above and below 125 mg/mL. The lowest clotting time was observed at the concentration 62.5 mg/mL of the crude extract. The synergistic effect between framycetin sulphate and crude extract was more effective against MRSA. In the blood coagulation assay, maximum blood clotting time was observed in higher and lower concentration series of tranexamic acid.