MISTLETOE LEAF EXTRACTS AS A SOURCE OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS: A PHYTOCHEMICAL APPROACH

Abstract

Traditional herbal medicine has long made use of the many medicinal uses of mistletoe (Viscum spp.). Research into the bioactive components and effectiveness of plant-based antimicrobials against microbial infections has been spurred by recent interest in these compounds. Purpose: This research will examine the antibacterial efficacy of mistletoe leaf extracts against certain bacterial and fungal strains, as well as assess the phytochemical components of these extracts. Techniques: We gathered mistletoe leaves, dried them, and then extracted their essential oils using solvents with different polarities, such as methanol, ethanol, and water. Alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, and flavonoids were detected using standard phytochemical screening techniques. For this purpose, we used the agar well diffusion technique to test the antibacterial activity of the various extracts against common pathogens such S. aureus, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Candida albicans. Findings: Several secondary metabolites with antibacterial potential were identified by phytochemical investigation. The methanol and ethanol extracts exhibited significant inhibitory zones against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, whereas their effectiveness against fungal strains was relatively weaker. The modest activity of the aqueous extract indicates that the potency of the extract is affected by the kind of solvent. Mistletoe leaf extracts, thanks to their high phytochemical concentration, show promise as antimicrobials, according to the data. In light of the alarming rise in antibiotic resistance, these results lend credence to the idea that mistletoe might be a useful natural resource for the creation of new antimicrobial drugs. It is necessary to do more research, which involves identifying and studying the active chemicals.