EVALUATING THE BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF DHUNKHARKA’S TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANTS

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long been a cornerstone of traditional healthcare, providing a rich source of bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. The Dhunkharka community harbors diverse medicinal flora, historically used to treat infections and other ailments. This study aimed to perform phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants from Dhunkharka and evaluate their antimicrobial properties against common bacterial and fungal pathogens. Standard extraction methods were employed to obtain plant extracts, which were subsequently analyzed for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and other bioactive constituents. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using disc diffusion and broth dilution assays. Results indicated the presence of multiple phytochemicals with notable antimicrobial effects, with certain plant extracts demonstrating inhibitory activity comparable to standard antibiotics. These findings validate the traditional medicinal use of these plants and highlight their potential as sources of novel antimicrobial agents.