Objective: The present study was designed to identify the bioactive phytochemicals and its antibacterial and in vitro anti-inflammatory potential of aqueous and methanolic seed extract of Citrullus lanatus.Methods: The phytochemical screening of both the aqueous and methanolic seed extract was carried out qualitatively to identify the major Phyto-constituents present in the extracts. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was evaluated against six pathogenic bacterial strains by agar well diffusion method and the Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth dilution method. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity of C. lanatus seed extracts was evaluated by using human red blood cell (HRBC) membrane stabilization and inhibition of albumin denaturation method.Results: The results of the study indicated that both the extracts of the seed having antimicrobial activity, while the methanolic extract showed more significant activity against the tested organism than aqueous extract. Methanol extract had the lowest MIC of 1.562 mg/ml against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis, whereas in aqueous extract was highly sensitive to Bacillus subtilis, E. coli and Klebsiella pneumonia with MIC of 3.125 and 6.25 mg/ml, respectively. Methanolic extracts exerted comparative higher anti-inflammatory activity than aqueous extract.Conclusion: Present study provides a firm evidence to support that the synergistic effect of C. lanatus seed extracts having potent anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial property, which might serve as an effective drug for various microbial infections and inflammatory disorders.
Chemical Composition, Toxicity, Antinociceptive, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Dry Aqueous Extract of Varronia multispicata (Cham.) Borhidi (Cordiaceae) Leaves