Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Selected Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of selected medicinal plants traditionally used in the Rajkot region of Gujarat, India. Leaf extracts of Azadirachta indica, Ocimum sanctum, Tinospora cordifolia, and Withania somnifera were prepared using aqueous and methanolic solvents. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, and terpenoids in varying proportions. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was assessed using the agar well diffusion method against selected bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus) and fungal (Candida albicans) strains. Methanolic extracts exhibited significantly higher antimicrobial activity compared to aqueous extracts, with maximum inhibition observed against Staphylococcus aureus. The findings suggest that medicinal plants from the Rajkot region possess promising antimicrobial potential, supporting their traditional use and highlighting their importance as sources of natural antimicrobial agents.