Abstract

Sonchus asper is used in the treatment of many diseases ethnopharmacologically in Pakistan. In the present manuscript we demonstrate the antimicrobial and phytotoxic effects of various fractions of S. asper. Six (6) different bacteria (Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, klebsiella pneumoniae,Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) are used in the screening of extract as well as 4 strains of fungi are characterized. Raddish root inhibition assay was used for phytotoxic screening. Methanolic fraction of S. asper showed best activities in all of assays, in inhibition of microbes and phytotoxic activities. The potency of these activities is due to the presence of bioactive flavonoids, saponins and phenolic compounds.

Key words: Sonchus asper, antimicrobial activity, phytotoxicity, Escherichia coli.

Abbreviation

PMF, Proton motive force; DMSO, dimethyl sulfoxide; MIC,minimum inhibition concentration; SAME, Sonchus asper methanolic extract;SAHE, Sonchus asper n-hexane extract; SAEE, Sonchus asper ethyl acetate extract; SACE, Sonchus asper chloroform extract; SABE, Sonchus asper butanolic extract; SAWE, Sonchus asper water extract.