Open Access

Syed Sadaqat Shah1,2, Yaseen Ur Rehman2, Arshad Iqbal2, Zia Ur Rahman3, Bangwei Zhou1, Mu Peng4 and Zhijian Li1

1Key Laboratory of Vegetation Ecology, Ministry of Education, Institute of Grassland Science, School of Life Science, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130024, China.
2Department of Botany, Islamia College Peshawar, Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan.
3Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Haripur, Pakistan.
4College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China.
J Pure Appl Microbiol. 2017;11(3):1337-1349
https://doi.org/10.22207/JPAM.11.3.14 | © The Author(s). 2017
Received: 10/06/2017 | Accepted: 03/08/2017 | Published: 30/09/2017
Abstract

The current research was conducted to study the qualitative analysis and antimicrobial activity of different extracts of Viscum. album L. Screening of Viscum album for their chemicals was led by familiar qualitative procedures, which exposed the existence of a number of bioactive compounds including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, reducing sugar and phenols. The antimicrobial activities were investigated by disc diffusion method. Investigation of the data discovered that all of the five extracts of Viscum album stems, leaves and fruit showed diverse range of antimicrobial activities. Ethyl acetate, butanol, water and crude extracts showed maximum inhibitory effects against all the microbial species. Especially, Gram-positive bacterial and fungal pathogen. The most liable, gram-positive bacteria were Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus atrophaeus and Staphylococcus aureus, which were repressed by all extracts except n-hexane. The most susceptible gram-negative bacterial species were Escherichia coli, Erwinia carotovora and Agrobacterium tumefaciens where as the most resilient gram-negative bacterium was Salmonella typhi. The results have also supported the practice of aqueous extract were found to be in effect against Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli. Thus, our findings have provided support for the use of Viscum album stems, leaves and fruit in traditional medicines.

Keywords

Phytochemical screening; antimicrobial activities; Viscum album; bacteria; disc diffusion method.

Introduction

Worldwide the major cause of human death is due to infectious disease (Westh et al., 2004). The incidence of food and water contamination has led to a serious health hazard to the community (Aboaba et al., 2006). During the latest 50 years, there had been a great deal of concentration in screening plants for beneficial means (Chang et al., 2001). The spread of antibiotic resistant pathogens is one of the utmost severe threats to a positive cure of microbial diseases (Prabuseenivasan et al., 2006). Although pharmaceutical industries have manufactured a number of new antibiotics in preceding three decades, the resistance to these antibiotics by microbes has increased. Overall, bacteria have chromosomal capability to conduct and attain resistance to medicines, which are consumed as therapeutic agents (Cohen, 1992).

Plant extracts have shown the presence of various chemical constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides and phenol compound, which are synthesized and deposed in specific parts or in all parts of the plants (Parekh et al., 2005; Kaur & Arora, 2009). The genus Viscum are arboreal hemi-parasites shrubs with twigs 15-80 cm long, which propagates on diverse host trees mainly on Oak and other deciduous trees (Anonymous 1992; Fleming., 1998). Mistletoe has a tendency to form a spherical shape 1 m in diameter. Due to its parasitic nature, the plant is small, dioecious and shrubby. It is dichotomously branching and with diamond shaped olive green rubbery whole leaves and tetra parts flowers, which form white gummy fruits. It has a weak but characteristic odor and unpleasant sense of taste (Bissett, 1994). Worldwide, mistletoe includes 900 species in 65 genera of Loranthaceae family, and 400 species in 7 genera of Viscaceae family (Barlow, 1983).

Earlier research has shown that the leaf of Viscum album contains choline, acetylcholine, lectins, polypeptides and polysaccharides. These have presented immune motivating activity in human analyses once mistletoe extracts are given using injection (Hajto, 1986; Bocci, 1993). Other authors also reported some flavanones and chalcones as constituents of Viscum album. Cuticle waxes of Viscum album show a high content of oleanolic acid with aliphatic constituents such as alkanes, esters, aldehydes, primary alcohols free fatty acid present in much lesser amounts (Wallenweber et al., 2002). Previously Oguntoye et al., 2008 detected the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins and flavonoids. Successive extraction method was monitored for extraction of V. nepalense and the consequences discovered the existence of tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, reducing compounds and sterols. On the other hand, anthraquinones and triterpenes were lacking (Murali et al., 2011). Existence number of viscotoxins, glycosides, alkaloids, phenylpropanoids, tannins, lignins and sugars has been described in the mistletoe collected from diverse host plant life (Orhan et al., 2005). The phytochemical side view of mistletoe be influenced by host trees of this plant (Luczkiewicz et al., 2001). Mistletoes have been used in the treatment and management of many diseases for many years, both in traditional and complementary medicine (Onay-Ucar et al., 2006). A number of biological effects, such as anticancer, antimycobacterial, antiviral, apoptosis inducing and immuno-modulatory activities have been reported for mistletoes (Onay-Ucar et al., 2006).

The objective of the present study is to identify the existence of phytochemical compounds among Viscum. album L. organs and to test the extracts obtained with difference methods antimicrobial activity against some human pathogenic microbial strains, to conclude some useful anti-microbial principles in future to cope with the emerging need of antimicrobial drugs against these strains.

Materials and Methods

Plant material
Viscum album was collected in the month of April from the hills of Khee Kada (Starsapan), Gulistan fort (Manzai Ghar) and Samana hills of Orakzai Agency(Pakistan), located between 33° -33′ to 33° -54′ north latitudes and 70° -36′ to 71° -22′ east longitudes. The stems, leaves and fruits of this plant were washed with purified water to get rid of the dust and dirt particle. The plant was dried out in dark at room temperature for two weeks. The entirely dried out stems, leaves and fruits were grinded with electric grinder. The weight of powdered stems, leaves and fruits were measured through electric balance.

Crude extract preparation
For the preparation of crude extract 500g of grinded materials of Viscum album stem, leaves and fruit was sinked in methanol taken in round bottom flask for about 24 hours. Then the extracts in solvent form filtered (by watt’s man filter paper) to a new round bottom flask. The process of filtration was recurring 3 days using supplementary concentration of methanol (300ml, 200ml and 100ml) earlier the filtration process. The crude (dried out) plant extracts was achieved when evaporation of water via water bath done.

Fractionation of crude extract
10g of crude plant extract was kept back inside round bottom flask. Different concentration of distilled water (200ml, 150ml and 100ml) was poured to the extract contained in flask for three times. Then through separating funnel filtration was done. For concentration of water extract, process of rotary evaporation was performed under reduced temperature between 30 to 50°C. Similar procedures were adopted for butanol, ethyl acetate and n-hexane.

Phytochemical Screening
Methanol extract were subjected to find the phytochemicals such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, phenol, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, reducing sugar, tannin, emodin, fatty acid, anthocyanin, coumarin, starch and protein by using standard procedures.

Alkaloids
Take 0.5g of the methanolic extract on filter paper and add some drops of Dragendroff’s reagent (solution of potassium Bismuth Iodide). The sample was then detected for the occurrence of yellow precipitation (Tyler, 1994, Harborne et al., 1973a).

Saponins
2ml of water was added to 2ml of plant extract in a test tube. Shake the test tube well and wait for frothing for the detection of saponins (Tyler, 1994, Harborne et al., 1973a).

Flavonoids
Take 4ml of extract and add 1.5ml of methanol. Warm the mixture besides adding metallic magnesium at that time add 4-5 droplets of hydrochloric acid and proverb the coloration (red) (Tyler, 1994, Harborne et al., 1973b).

Phenoles
To the plant extract 2ml ethanol and few drops of ferric chloride solution were added and observed the coloration. Formation of bluish black color indicates the presence of phenols. (Tyler, 1994, Harborne et al., 1973b).

Glycoside
Add few drops of ferric chloride and concentrated sulfuric acid to the solution of the extract (in glacial acetic acid), and watch for reddish brown coloration at the junction of two layers and the bluish green color in the upper layer (Siddique and Ali., 1997).

Terpenoids and steroid
Take 0.2g of extract and treated with 0.5ml of acetic anhydride and 0.5ml of chloroform. Then the concentrated sulfuric acid was added slowly. Red violet color denote terpenoids and green bluish color indicates steroids (Siddique and Ali, 1997).

Tannins
To 0.5 ml of methanol extract solution, 1ml of water and 1-2 drops of ferric chloride solution was added. Blue color was observed for Gallic tannins and green black for catecholic tannins (Iyengar, 1995).

Reducing sugar
Add 1 ml of water and 5-8 drops of Fehling’s solution to 0.5ml of methanolic extract solution and boiled for few minutes. The result was detected for brick red precipitate (Siddique and Ali, 1997).

Coumarins
3ml of 10% NaOH was added to 2 ml of aqueous extract. Formation of yellow color indicates the presence of coumarins (Rizk, 1982).

Emodins
2ml of NH4OH and 3ml of Benzene was added to the extract. Appearance of red color indicates the presence of emodins (Rizk, 1982).

Fatty acid
0.5ml of extract was mixed with 5ml of ether. The solution was allowed for evaporation on filter paper and dried. The appearance of transparency on filter paper indicates the presence of fatty acids (Ayoola et al., 2008).

Iodine test
Crude extract was mixed with 2ml of iodine solution. A dark blue or purple coloration indicates the presence of the carbohydrate (Harborne, 1973c).

Detection of proteins (xanthoproteic test)
The plant extract was treated with few drops of conc. Nitric acid. Formation of yellow color indicates the presence of proteins (Prashant et al., 2011).

Microorganism used
Gram +ve (Bacillus atrophaeus, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram –ve (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Erwinia carotovora, Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria and fungus (Candida albicans) were obtain from PCSIR Lab Complex Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan.

Preparation of media
The required quantity of nutrient agar (2.8 g) in 300ml of purified water and 1.3g nutrient broth was set in 200 ml purified water. Then it was transferred into cone shaped flask. Approximately 20 ml nutrient broth per test tube was also transferred into test tubes. The entire media flask and test tube were persevered with cotton wool. For sterilization, these flask and test tube were subjected to maximum temperature (121°C) at 1.5 pound pressure for half an hour (an autoclave). After the sterilization, media (nutrient agar) was tipped into disinfected petri plates in a laminar flow hood to escape any infection. The agar media was permitted to get hard in platters intended for almost 60 minutes. Then the platters were sited in upset position (to evade vaporisation of H2O from the media) in an incubator at 37°C for 24 hours. Nearby 24 hours germ-free plates were used for growth of bacterial strain and fungus.

Antimicrobial Activity
Anti-activities of herbal extract were assessed via disc diffusion technique. Subsequently 24h, bacterial culture was adjusted to 0.5 McFarland turbidity standards. Then these cultures were inoculated on top of nutrient agar plates. Sterilised filter paper disc soaked per plant parts extract in application of 1 and 2mg disc in 6 and 12 µl volumes was smeared on the disc. Bacterial culture and fungus were incubated at 37°C for 18h (Perakh and Chanda 2007).

Positive control
Intended for gram +ve bacteria, Azithromycin 50 µg per6 µl.

Planned for gram –ve bacteria, Levofloxacin 30µg per 6µl.

For Candida albicans, Clotrimazole 50 µg per 6µl.

Statistical Analysis
All the data were analysed using the SPSS v. 16 statistical package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Mean separation of antimicrobial activities of difference organ extracts against pathogenic microorganisms was done with a Tukey’s HSD test (P<0·05).

RESULTS

Phytochemical screening
Phytochemical screening of Viscum album for their chemicals was led by familiar qualitative procedures which exposed the existence of a number of bioactive compounds including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, emodin, reducing sugar, coumarin, phenols and proteins; however, the fatty acid, anthocyanin and starch were not found in all the plant parts (Table 1).

Table (1):
Results of phytochemical screening on crude methanol extracts of stems, leaves and fruits of Viscum album.

S. No
Compounds
V. album Stem Methanol
V. album Leaves Methanol
V. album Fruit Methanol
1
Saponins
+
+
+
2
Alkaloids
+
+
+
3
Reducing sugar
+
+
+
4
Glycosides
+
+
+
5
Terpenoids
+
+
+
6
Steroids
+
+
+
7
Tannins
+
+
+
8
Flavonoids
+
+
+
9
Emodin
+
+
+
10
Fatty acid
11
Anthocyanin
12
Coumarin
+
+
+
13
Phenols
+
+
+
14
Starch
15
Proteins
+
+
+

+: Represents presence of the phytoconstituent;
–: represents absence of the phytoconstituent.

Antimicrobial activities
Table 2 shows the antimicrobial activities of stem extracts of Viscum album against different human pathogenic microorganisms by disc diffusion method. Analysis of the data revealed that B. atrophaeus was susceptible to all the extracts except n-hexane. Against B. atrophaeus the highest zone of inhibition was shown by methanol extract. Which was showed 35.00mm ZI at both the concentrations. In case of B. subtilis, butanol extracted samples at both concentrations and methanol extracted sample at high concentration showed the same effect as positive control, while no inhibition was observed for n-hexane extract. S. aureus was susceptible to all the extracted samples of the stem of Viscum album. The best zone of inhibition was observed by methanolic extract, which showed 35.33 and 35.66mm ZI at 1 and 2mg disc-1, respectively. Aqueous and butanol extracted samples were also effective against S. aureus and showed good ZI. While n-hexane and Ethyl acetate were moderately effective against S. aureus. P. aeruginosa was sensitive to Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts at both the concentrations used, however n-hexane extract showed no inhibitory effect on P. aeruginosa, measuring no zone of inhibition. Our results also suggested that E. coli were the most susceptible to the Ethyl acetate extract as compared to other extracts and showed 20.33 and 23.33 ZI at 1 and 2 mg disc-1, respectively. However, no ZI was observed against E. coli while using n-hexane extract of stem of V. album. Against the S. typhi all the extracts showed ZI at both the concentrations except n-hexane extract. S. typhi was more sensitive to the Ethyl acetate extract as compared to other extracts and showed 20.66 and 25.33 ZI at 1 and 2 mg disc-1, respectively. The data revealed that E. carotovora were completely resistant to the n-hexane extract. However the same bacterium was sensitive to Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracted samples of stem of V. album. Highest zone of inhibition was recorded by Ethyl acetate extract which was 25.00 and 27.00mm ZI at 1 and 2mg disc-1, respectively. While butanol extract at higher concentrations showed the same effect as positive control. A. tumefaciens were sensitive to all the extracts at both the concentrations. The lowest ZI was recorded by aqueous extract while n-hexane, Ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol extract showed good activity against A. tumefaciens. Our results also showed that K. pneumoniae were the most susceptible bacterium to Ethyl acetate extract and the same bacterium were resistant to n-hexane extract of stem of V. album. While moderate ZI was also observed by other extracts. C. albicans were sensitive to all the extracted samples at both the concentrations while best ZI was observed by Butanol extract, which showed 25.66 and 30.00mm ZI at 1 and 2mg disc-1.

Table (2):
Antimicrobial activities of stem extracts of Viscum album against different human pathogenic microorganisms by disc diffusion method. Values are the mean of 3 replications for stem extracts by using disc diffusion method. Means followed by different letters are significantly different (P < 0.05) according to Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test.

Organisms Conc. mg disc-1 Mean diameter of zones of inhibition (mm)
n-Hexane extract Ethyl acetate extract Butanol extract Methanol extract Aqueous extract Positive Control
B. atrophaeus 1 22.00d 25.00c 35.00a 30.66b 30.33b
2 27.33c 25.00d 35.00a 30.00b 33.66a
B. subtilis 1 20.66c 30.33a 26.00b 25.00b 30.00a
2 25.00c 33.33a 34.66a 30.33b 34.33a
S. aureus 1 20.00c 20.66c 30.00b 35.33a 30.33b 30.33b
2 22.00e 27.66d 30.00c 35.66a 30.66b 32.33b
P. aeruginosa 1 20.00c 20.33c 22.33b 20.00c 30.66a
2 24.00c 23.66c 20.33d 28.33b 31.00a
E. coli 1 20.33b 15.66c 15.66c 15.33c 32.00a
2 24.33b 20.33c 20.33c 18.33d 32.33a
S. typhi 1 20.66b 20.00b 18.00c 15.66d 30.00a
2 25.33b 23.00c 20.00d 20.00d 36.00a
E. carotovora 1 25.00a 22.33b 20.33c 15.00d 25.66a
2 27.00a 25.66a 20.66b 20.00b 27.33a
A. tumefaciens 1 20.33b 20.33b 20.66b 20.00b 15.00c 30.00a
2 25.66b 25.00b 25.66b 22.00c 20.00c 32.00a
K. pneumoniae 1 25.33b 19.33d 22.33c 13.66e 30.33a
2 27.66b 19.33d 27.00b 22.66c 36.00a
C. albicans 1 13.33e 17.00d 25.66b 20.66c 12.00e 33.00a
2 20.66d 20.33d 30.00b 25.00c 17.00e 33.66a

Data regarding the antibacterial activity of leaves extracts of Viscum album against different human pathogenic microorganisms by using disc diffusion method is shown in the Table 3. The data indicated that B. atrophaeus was highly susceptible to the butanol and methanol extracts of the leaves of the V. album. All the extracts showed good reduction in the growth of B. atrophaeus. But among these extracts butanol and methanol extracts reduced the growth of B. atrophaeus and showed 30.00 and 30.66mm ZI at the concentration of 1 mg disc-1, respectively. However, n-hexane extract didn’t show any activity against B. atrophaeus. All the extracts showed good to moderate antibacterial activity against B. subtilis except n-hexane. Which didn’t inhibit the B. subtilis growth at any concentration. Among these extracts, butanol extract showed highest zone of Inhibition (24.66 and 30.00mm 1 and 2mg disc-1) when compared to the other extracts. Our results also indicated that all the extracts showed good antibacterial activity against S. aureus. But among these extracts methanol extract had a profound inhibitory activity against S. aureus. Which showed 30.66 ZI at both the concentrations (1 and 2 mg disc-1), respectively. While Ethyl acetate extract at higher concentration showed the same effect as positive control. P. aeruginosa was resistant to both n-hexane and aqueous extracts and didn’t inhibit the growth of P. aeruginosa at any concentration. While other extracts showed good to moderate activity when compared to standard antibiotics. Among them, methanol extract showed 25.33 and 25.66 ZI at both 1 and 2 mg disc-1, respectively. E. coli was also resistant to both the n-hexane and aqueous extract of leaves of V. album and didn’t show any ZI at any concentration. While butanol and methanol extract showed good activity when compared to the other extracts and standard. Both the butanol and methanol extracted samples showed good activity at both the concentrations, while Ethyl acetate extract showed highest inhibition of 20.66 mm at 2 mg disc-1, when compared to the antibiotics. Our data also indicated that S. typhi was completely resistant to n-hexane extract and didn’t show any ZI. The best activity was observed by methanol extract which reduced the growth of S. typhi as 22.00 and 30.00 at 1 and 2 mg disc-1, when compared to other extracts. Similarly, E. carotovora was also completely resistant to n-hexane extract and showed no activity. While the best activity was observed by the methanol extract which showed 30.66 mm ZI at both the concentrations. Methanol extract of leaves of V. album reduced the growth of E. carotovora more than the standard antibiotic. A. tumefaciens were susceptible to all the extracts and showed good to moderate antibacterial activity when compared to the standard antibiotics. Among these extracts, A. tumefaciens were more susceptible to the Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts and showed 25.00 and 23.66 mm ZI at 2mg disc-1, respectively. Our data also reveal that n-hexane extract were ineffective to control the growth of K. pneumoniae and didn’t show any ZI. While Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous were active to control the growth of K. pneumoniae. Among these extracts, Ethyl acetate and butanol were more active to control the growth of K. pneumoniae and showed 25.00 and 25.66 mm ZI at 2 mg disc-1. Our results also indicated that n-hexane, Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous all were effective against C. albicans at both the concentrations. Among these extracts methanol was more effective to reduce the growth of C. albicans. Which reduced the growth of C. albicans as 25.00 and 30.00mm ZI at 1 and 2 mg disc-1, respectively.

Table (3):
Antimicrobial activities of leaves extracts of Viscum album against different human pathogenic microorganisms by disc diffusion method. Values are the mean of 3 replications for leaves extracts by using disc diffusion method. Means followed by different letters are significantly different (P < 0.05) according to Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test.

Organisms Conc. mg disc-1 Mean diameter of zones of inhibition (mm)
n-Hexane extract Ethyl acetate extract Butanol extract Methanol extract Aqueous extract Positive Control
B. atrophaeus 1 22.00c 30.00a 30.66a 24.33b 30.33a
2 25.00d 32.00b 30.66b 30.00c 33.66a
B. subtilis 1 22.33c 24.66b 24.00b 13.66d 30.00a
2 25.33d 30.00b 27.00c 20.33e 34.33a
S. aureus 1 15.00c 26.66b 25.33b 30.66a 13.00c 30.33a
2 25.00c 30.66a 28.66b 30.66a 20.33d 32.33a
P. aeruginosa 1 20.00c 20.00c 25.33b 30.66a
2 22.00d 24.00c 25.66b 31.00a
E. coli 1 17.33c 20.33b 20.00b 32.00a
2 20.66b 20.66b 20.00b 32.33a
S. typhi 1 17.00c 22.66b 22.00b 12.33d 30.00a
2 20.33d 22.66c 30.00b 15.33e 36.00a
E. carotovora 1 19.00c 25.33b 30.66a 13.00d 25.66b
2 25.66b 26.66b 30.66a 15.00c 27.33b
A. tumefaciens 1 16.33c 19.33b 15.00c 19.33b 15.66c 30.00a
2 16.66c 25.00b 22.00b 23.66b 18.66c 32.00a
K. pneumoniae 1 22.00b 20.33b 22.00b 16.33c 30.33a
2 25.00b 25.66b 22.33c 20.66c 36.00a
C. albicans 1 12.00e 18.33d 20.66c 25.00b 12.66e 33.00a
2 18.33c 20.66c 30.66b 30.66b 12.66d 33.66a

The antimicrobial activity of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of fruit of Viscum album is shown in Table 4. Our results reveal that all extracts were effective in reducing the growth of B. atrophaeus. Methanol extract showed tremendous inhibition of 30.33 at 1mg disc-1 and 35.33mm at concentration of 2mg disc-1 as compared with antibiotics. Butanol and Ethyl acetate also showed good activity as compared to n-hexane and aqueous extracts. Similarly, B. subtilis were inhibited by all the extracts of V. album, but methanol had a profound inhibitory effect against B. subtilis, which reduced the growth of B. subtilis as 30.00 and 34.00 mm ZI at 1 and 2mg disc-1, respectively. While butanol extract showed 30.00mm ZI against B. subtilis at both the concentrations. The effect of butanol extract at lower concentration was the same as the positive control. Against S. aureus butanol showed tremendous inhibition of 30.33 mm ZI at 1 mg disc-1 and 32.66 mm ZI at 2mg disc-1, respectively. While methanol extract at higher concentration showed the same effect as positive control. As compared to the other extracts n-hexane showed the lowest inhibition against S. aureus. Our data also suggested that P. aeruginosa was completely susceptible to all the fruit extracts of V. album and showed good to moderate activity when compared to positive control. Among all the extracts, Ethyl acetate and methanol extracts showed 20.00 and 25.00mm ZI at both 1 and 2mg disc-1, respectively. E. coli was completely resistant to butanol extract of fruit of V. album and didn’t show any zone of inhibition. While all the other extracts were effective in controlling the growth of E. coli. Among them methanol extract showed the best activity when compare to the positive control. Which reduced the growth of E. coli as 20.33 mm ZI at 1 mg disc-1 and 22.33mm ZI at 2 mg disc-1, respectively. N-hexane extract and ethyl acetate extract, both were unable to control the growth of S. typhi, which didn’t show any inhibitory activity at any concentration. While among the other extracts methanol extract showed good activity and reduced the growth of S. typhi as 22.00 and 25.00 mm ZI at the concentrations of 1 and 2 mg disc-1, respectively. Our results also indicated that all the extracts were active against E. carotovora except n-hexane, which didn’t inhibit the E. carotovora at any concentration. Methanol extract showed tremendous antibacterial activity more than standard antibiotic against E. carotovora and showed 26.33 and 30.33mm ZI at the concentration of 1 and 2mg disc-1, respectively. N-hexane didn’t show any effectiveness against A. tumefaciens at any concentration while other extracts showed good to moderate activity when compared to positive control. Among the extracts, methanol extract showed the best inhibition of 22.66 mm ZI at 1mg disc-1 and 25.66mm ZI at 2mg disc-1, respectively. N-hexane, Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol, aqueous extracts all were effective against K. pneumoniae and inhibited the K. pneumoniae at both the concentrations. The highest inhibition was recorded by methanol extract which were 25.33 and 26.33 mm ZI at both 1 and 2 mg disc-1, as compared to other extracts. Our data also reveal that n-hexane extract of fruit of V. album showed the best activity against C. albicans and reduced the growth of C. albicans better than other extracts. The growth which were reduced by the n-hexane extract was 22.00 mm ZI at both the concentrations (1 and 2 mg disc-1).
Table (4):
Antimicrobial activities of fruit extracts of Viscum album against different human pathogenic microorganisms by disc diffusion method. Values are the mean of 3 replications for fruit extracts by using disc diffusion method. Means followed by different letters are significantly different (P < 0.05) according to Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test.

Organisms Conc. Mg disc-1 Mean diameter of zones of inhibition (mm)
n-Hexane extract Ethyl acetate extract Butanol extract Methanol extract Aqueous extract Positive Control
B. atrophaeus 1 20.33d 28.33b 25.00c 30.33a 15.66e 30.33a
2 25.66c 30.66b 30.33b 35.33a 22.33d 33.66a
B. subtilis 1 20.00c 25.00b 30.00a 30.00a 15.00d 30.00a
2 22.00d 26.66c 30.00b 34.00a 22.66d 34.33a
S. aureus 1 10.66d 25.66b 30.33a 25.33b 17.33c 30.33a
2 15.66d 30.66b 32.66a 35.00a 20.66c 32.33b
P. aeruginosa 1 20.00b 20.00b 20.00b 20.00b 10.00c 31.66a
2 20.00c 25.00b 21.00c 25.00b 15.00d 31.00a
E. coli 1 17.33c 18.33c 20.33b 13.33d 32.00a
2 20.33b 20.66b 22.33b 14.66c 32.33a
S. typhi 1 16.66c 22.00b 13.00d 30.00a
2 20.66c 25.00b 13.33d 36.00a
E. carotovora 1 22.33b 23.00b 26.33a 13.33c 25.66a
2 25.66c 23.00d 30.33a 13.00e 27.33b
A. tumefaciens 1 15.66c 15.33c 22.66b 10.33d 30.00a
2 20.00c 20.00c 25.66b 15.00d 32.00a
K. pneumoniae 1 20.33c 22.33c 19.33d 25.33b 17.66d 30.33a
2 20.66c 24.66b 20.66c 26.33b 20.00c 36.00a
C. albicans 1 22.00b 17.33c 15.00d 20.33b 10.00e 33.00a
2 22.00b 20.33b 20.00c 22.33b 14.00d 33.66a
DISCUSSION

Various chemical compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, saponins and sterols etc. are present in medicinal plants responsible for the improvement of human health. The primary screening experiments are helpful in the discovery of the chemical constituents, which can bring about the drugs isolation and advancement (Mallikharjuna et al., 2007). The phytochemical analysis conducted on Viscum album methanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, emodin, reducing sugar, coumarin, phenols and proteins. These results agree with (Umoh et al., 2011; Ihegboro and Ebuehi, 2012). However, Oguntoye et al., (2008) did not observed saponins and terpenoids in the ethanolic and aqueous extract of Viscum album plant.

In the present study investigates the antimicrobial activities of different solvent extracted samples form the stem, leaves and fruits of V. album by using disc diffusion method. Ten bacterial species were used, in which six were gram negative and 3 were gram positive and one fungus (C. albicans). Our results reveal that B. atrophaeus was susceptible to the Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the stem of V. album. Among them B. atrophaeus was the most sensitive to the methanol extract and showed highest inhibition as compared to other extracts and positive control. N-hexane extract of stem of V. album did not show any inhibition against B. atrophaeus. Hussain et al., (2011) observed 20.06 and 15.03 ZI against gram positive bacteria (E. faecium) while using ethyl acetate and methanol extract of twigs of V. album. B. subtilis were sensitive to all the extracts of stem of V. album except n-hexane extract. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by butanol extract, which was better than positive control and other extracts. Hussain et al., (2011) used different extracts of twigs of V. album against different bacteria. He used methanol and Ethyl acetate extracts of twigs of V. album and observed observe 19.9mm and 15.06mm ZI against B. subtilis while using the concentration of 100mg/ml. Our results also reveal that S. aureus was sensitive to all the extracts of stem of V. album and showed inhibition at both the concentrations. Methanol extract showed tremendous inhibition against the S. aureus as compared to other extracts and positive control. Similar results were also reported by Hussain et al., (2011). Our results also reveal that P. aeruginosa was completely resistant to n-hexane extract of stem of V. album, while other extracts showed good to moderate effect against P. aeruginosa. Hussain et al., (2011) observed 19.66 and 17.03mm ZI against P. aeruginosa, while using the Ethyl acetate and methanol extract of twigs of V. album, at concentration of 100mg/ml. Our results suggested that E. coli was sensitive to all the extracts except N-hexane extract. The maximum inhibition was recorded by Ethyl acetate extract as compared to other extracts. While butanol and methanol extracts showed the same inhibition against E. coli at both the concentrations. Similarly, Hussain et al., (2011) used different extracts of twigs of V. album. He used Ethyl acetate and methanol extract of V. album against E. coli and recorded 20.83mm ZI by both extracts. Our results also reveal that S. typhi was completely resistant to n-hexane extract of stem of V. album and didn’t show any zone of inhibition at any concentration. While Ethyl acetate extract showed good zone of inhibition as compared to the other extracts. Similar result was also reported by Hussain et al., (2011). Against E. carotovora, Ethyl acetate extract showed highest inhibition as compared to positive control and other extracts. The effect of Ethyl acetate extract of stem of V. album against E. carotovora was similar to as positive control. While our results also reveal that E. carotovora was completely resistant to n-hexane extract of stem of V. album. A. tumefaciens was sensitive to all the extracts and showed zone of inhibition at both the concentrations. The effect of n-hexane, Ethyl acetate and butanol extract were the same when compared to methanol and aqueous. The lowest zone of inhibition was observed by the aqueous extract. K. pneumoniae was completely resistant to the n-hexane extract of stem of V. album, while other extracts showed good to moderate activity against K. pneumoniae. Among them Ethyl acetate extract recorded the highest zone of inhibition against K. pneumoniae when compared to the other extracts. Our results also reveal that all the extracts were active against the C. albicans and showed zone of inhibition at both the concentrations. The maximum zone of inhibition was recorded by butanol extract when compared to the other extracts.

Our results further reveal that B. atrophaeus was susceptible to the Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves of V. album. While same bacteria was completely resistant to n-hexane extract of leaves of V. album. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by the methanol and butanol extract at 1 mg disc-1, when compared to the other extracts. Yusuf et al., (2013) used different extracts of leaves of V. album against different human pathogen. He observed 12 and 8mm ZI against B. cereus, while using methanolic and hexane extract at concentration of 30mg/ml. B. subtilis was found completely resistant to the n-hexane extract and didn’t stop the growth of B. subtilis at any concentration. While same bacteria was inhibited by the other extracts of leaves of V. album. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by the butanol extract as compared to the other extracts. Hussain et al., (2011) used five extracts of leaves of V. album against different human pathogens. He observed 24.33, 15.16, 15.9 and 9.66mm ZI against B. subtilis, while using the Ethyl acetate, methanol, ethanol and aqueous extract. He did not observe any inhibition against B. subtilis while using the chloroform extract of leaves of V. album. S. aureus was sensitive to all the extracts of the leaves of the V. album and showed inhibition by both the concentrations. Among all the extracts, the highest zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract as compared to the positive control and other extracts. Methanol extract reduced the growth of S. aureus better than positive control. Yusuf et al., (2013) observed 13.33mm ZI against S. aureus, while using the methanol extract of leaves of V. album at the concentration of 30mg/ml. our results were contrary to Oguntoye et al., (2008), because he did not observe any inhibition against S. aureus while using the aqueous extract of leaves of V. album. Our results are also not in agreement with Hussain et al., (2011), because he did not record highest inhibition by using methanol extract. He observed 24.33mm ZI by using Ethyl actate extract and 15.16mm ZI by using methanol extract. P. aeruginosa was completely resistant to n-hexane extract and aqueous extract and showed no zone of inhibition at any concentration. Ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol was found active against P. aeruginosa and inhibit the bacteria at both the concentrations. Methanol showed the best activity among other extracts. Similar results were also reported by Hussain et al., (2011). Our results are not parallel to Oguntoye et al., (2008), because he observed 9.00mm ZI against P. aeruginosa by using aqueous extract of leaves of V. album. Our results also demonstrated that n-hexane and aqueous extracts did not reduced the growth of E. coli at any concentrations, however, Ethyl acetate, butanol and methanol inhibit its growth. Highest reduction was noted by the butanol and methanol extracts. Our results are not in agreement with Yusuf et al., (2013) because he observe 9mm ZI against E. coli by using aqueous extract of V. album. Our results are also not parallel to the Hussain et al., (2011), because he observed highest inhibition by Ethyl acetate extract. He observed 24.96, 16.93 and 9.16 mm ZI against E. coli by using Ethyl acetate, methanol and aqueous extract at concentration of 100 mg/ml. All the extracts show antimicrobial activity against S. typhi except n-hexane extract of leaves of V. album. Among these extracts, methanol extract show good inhibition against S. typhi. . Similar results were also reported by Yusuf et al., (2013). Our results are not parallel with Hussain et al., (2011), because he did not observe any ZI against S. typhi by using Ethyl acetate extract, while he observes 15.26 and 9mm ZI by using methanol extract and aqueous extract of leaves of V. album. Our results also suggested that the growth of E. carotovora was reduced by the Ethyl acetate extract, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracted samples of leaves of V. album. N-hexane extract did not show any activity against E. carotovora. Among these extracts, methanol extract showed tremendous activity and reduced the growth of E. carotovora better than positive control and other extracts. Our results further indicated that all the extracts were effective against A. tumefaciens. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by Ethyl acetate extract and methanol extract at both the concentrations. K. pneumoniae was completely resistant to the n-hexane extract of leaves of V. album. While all other extracts were active against K. pneumoniae. Among these extracts, highest zone of inhibition was recorded by the Ethyl acetate extract and butanol extract at both the concentrations. Our results are not in agreement with Yusuf et al., (2013), because he observed 4, 5 and 6.33mm ZI against k. pneumoniae by using hexane, ethanolic and methanolic extract at the concentration of 30 mg/ml. Similarly, Oguntoye et al., (2008), observed 12.00mm ZI against K. pneumoniae by using aqueous extract of leaves of V.album. Our results also demonstrated that C. albicans was sensitive to all the extracts of leaves of V. album and show inhibition at both the concentrations. Highest zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract.

Our results revealed that all the extracted samples of fruits of V. album were effective to control B. atrophaeus at both the concentrations. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by methanolic extract followed by Ethyl acetate extract. Methanol extract reduced the growth better than positive control and other extracts. B. subtilis was susceptible to n-hexane extract, Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts of leaves of V. album. The best zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract follow by butanol extract. In case of S. aureus, all the extracts show effectiveness and inhibit the bacteria at both concentrations. Butanol had a profound inhibitory activity against S. aureus and inhibit it at both the concentrations. N-hexane, Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts all were effective against P. aeruginosa and recorded zone of inhibition at both the concentrations. The best zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract and butanol extracts at both the concentrations. Our results also demonstrated that E. coli was completely resistant to the butanol extract of fruits of V. album, while all other extracts inhibit the E. coli at both the concentrations. E. coli was the most sensitive to the methanol extracted sample and recorded best zone of inhibition at both the concentrations among all the extracts. Our results also suggested that S. typhi show resistance to both n-hexane extract and Ethyl acetate extract and did not recorded zone of inhibition at any concentration. While among the other extracts methanol show good activity against S. typhi and recorded the highest zone of inhibition at both the concentrations. Our results also suggested that methanol extract of fruits of V. album had a tremendous antibacterial activity against E. carotovora. The zone of inhibition was recorded against E. carotovora by methanol extract was better than positive control and other extracts. While the same bacteria was completely resistant to n-hexane extract. Our data also indicated that Ethyl acetate, butanol, methanol and aqueous extracts were found effective against A. tumefaciens while n-hexane extract did not inhibit A. tumefaciens at any concentration. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract followed by Ethyl acetate extract and butanol extract. Our results also demonstrated that K. pneumoniae were susceptible to all the extracts of fruits of V. album. The highest zone of inhibition was recorded by methanol extract at both the concentrations. While against C. albicans all the extracts were effective and show zone of inhibition at both the concentrations. The highest ZI was recorded by n-hexane extract and methanol extract.

The use of hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, water and crude (methanol) as take out solvents verified to be more capable in extracting the active compounds. The antibacterial activities of the hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, water and methanol extracts were match to Azithromycin, Levofloxacin and Clotrimizole (standered antibiotics). Independent of gram reaction, these antibiotics gives the impression to be wide range in its activities. The antibiotic (Clotrimazol) were use against C. albicans also given positive results. The tested plant parts revealed the maximum activity against certain bacteria than the antibiotics used, representing that this plant is good source of antibiotics for the cure of certain bacteriological illnesses. However, further experimental and research determinations on this plant and their extracts are necessary to be able to state the pharmacological suggestion. Other details requirement include tests other solvents, infrared spectrometry, (mass spectrometry) MS and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the constituents of the extracts.

The biological activities of the plant tested can help to discover new antibiotics, which can be use as selective agents for controlling infectious diseases. The results indicated the possibility that stems, leaves and fruits of Viscum album can be used for the cure of several types of ailments. Two types of extracts (Ethyl acetate and crude) have presented good action in contrast to different bacteria and fungi. The mentioned extracts would be checked for advance studies. It is also suggested to separate the bioactive compounds of Viscum album stems, leaves and fruits and then to practice the activity of each individual compound against diverse microbial strains.

CONCLUSION

It is concluded from the result that stems, leaves and fruits of Viscum album is composed of comparatively great amount of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, glycosides and phenols etc. These antimicrobial bioactive components mark the tested plant a confident candidate for future research and for medicinal usages.

Declarations

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This work was supported by The National Program on Key Basic Research Project (2015CB150801), Key Science and Technology Program of Jinlin Province (2012ZDGG008), and Jilin Province Science and Technology Development Plan Project (20170414051GH).

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