Isolation and identification of antibacterial components in seed extracts of Argemone mexicana L. (Papaveraceae)

ObjectiveThe column chromatographic fractions of chloroform (CH1, CH2, CH3) seed extracts of Argemone mexicana (A. mexicana) were screened for antibacterial activity and phytochemical analysis.MethodsCH3 fraction was isolated and identified by column chromatography, thin layer chromatography, spectral data analysis and phytochemical screening were used for analysis.ResultsCH3 fraction was significantly active at 4 to 64 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with minimum inhibitory concentration of 1.5625 to 3.125 mg/mL. The active fraction (CH3) revealed presence of alkaloid with retention factor value of 0.44. The active antibacterial agent in the most potent fraction (CH3) was isolated and identified as N-demethyloxysanguinarine by thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical screening. The CH1 and CH2 fractions did not show inhibitory activity.ConclusionsThe results support the ethnomedicinal use of seeds of A. mexicana for treatment of bacterial diseases.