Antiprotozoal activity of 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid isolated from the fruit extracts of Flacourtia inermis Roxb. George Shibumon1, Benny P.J.1,1, Kuriakose Sunny2, George Cincy2, Gopalakrishnan Sarala3 1Department of Zoology, St. Thomas College Palai, Kottayam, Kerala, India 2Research and Post Graduate Department of Chemistry, St. Thomas College Palai, Kottayam, Kerala, India 3Department of Microbiology, St. Pius X College, Rajapuram, Kasaragod, Kerala, India 1 Corresponding author: P.J. Benny e-mail: shibugeorgepala@gmail.com
Abstract An attempt has been made to isolate, purify and characterize an antiprotozoal compound from the fruit extract of Flacourtia inermis. Chromatographic technique was used for the isolation and purification of the active principle and the structural elucidation of the compound was done by spectroscopic analysis. Antiprotozoal activity was tested by microscopic count method using fresh water protozoa and rectal ciliates of frog. The study revealed that the purified compound belongs to the phenolic acid class and identified as 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid. Antiprotozoal assay showed that the purified compound at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml was lethal to the tested organisms. The study can be concluded that the fruit of Flacourtia inermis possesses 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, which is a powerful antiprotozoal agent against fresh water protozoa and rectal ciliates of frog. Top Keywords Flacourtia inermis, Loika, 2, 3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, Antiprotozoal, Fresh Water protozoa, Rectal ciliates. Top |