GC-MS analysis and antibacterial activity of Cuscuta reflexa against bacterial pathogens

ObjectiveTo find out the antibacterial efficacy of Cuscuta reflexa (C. reflexa) and examine the chemical composition of the essential oil from C. reflexa by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS).MethodsAntibacterial potency of C. reflexa plant extracts has been tested against Bacillus subtilis IFO 3026, Sarcina lutea IFO 3232, Xanthomonas campestris IAM 1671, Escherichia coli IFO 3007, Klebsiella pneumoniae ATTC 10031, Proteus vulgaris MTCC 321 and Pseudomonas denitrificans KACC 32026 by disc diffusion assay. The chemical compositions of the essential oil were analyzed by GC-MS.ResultsGC-MS analysis identified sixteen compounds from essential oil of C. reflexa, of which piperitone (15.19%), caryophyllene (12.55%), β-elemene (10.35%), elemol (6.20%), -selinene (4.49%), -humulene (3.98%) and thujone (5.18%) were the major compounds. α-Bergamotene and juniper camphor were identified as the minor compounds. Dichloromethane and petroleum ether extracts of C. reflexa showed a great potential of antibacterial activity against all tested bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentrationvalues of various extracts ranged from 16 to 512 µg/mL.ConclusionsThese extracts showed good antibacterial activity and could lead to new antibacterial drug designing.