Abstract
Punica granatum peel extracts have been used for several pharmacological uses. In the undertaken study phytochemical analysis and antibacterial activity was performed for Punica granatum peel extracts against multidrug-resistant bacteria, which cause urinary tract infections in humans.
Punica granatum peel was collected from North-West, Pakistan. Plant peel was processed for aqueous, ethanol, hexane, and chloroform extraction. All the extracts were screened for activity against MDR UTI bacterial pathogens. MICs, MBCs, and phytochemical analyses were performed.
Punica granatum peel extracts showed antibacterial activity. Escherichia coli was inhibited by hexane (16 +/- 0.3 mm) and ethanol (15 +/- 0.5 mm) dissolved extracts. Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were inhibited by aqueous (14 +/- 0.5 mm and 14 +/- 0.3 mm) extracts respectively compared to imipenem as positive control. Staphylococcus aureus was inhibited by aqueous (18 +/- 0.7 mm) and ethanol (16 +/- 0.7 mm) extracts. Aqueous and ethanol extracts have better MICs and MBCs than chloroform and hexane extracts. In phytochemical analysis, aqueous and ethanol extracts contain higher concentrations and volumes of phytochemicals, particularly alkaloids, flavonoids, and carbohydrates, whereas hexane extracts have high concentrations of phenolics, saponins, and triterpenoids.
Punica granatum peel extracts, especially aqueous and ethanol extracts, were efficient against UTI-causing MDR bacteria. Further in-depth analysis of Punica granatum extracts will help elucidate bioactive medicinal molecules.