Evaluation of antibacterial and anthelmintic activities with total phenolic contents of Piper betel leaves

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the antibacterial and anthelmintic activities and to determine total phenolic contents of methanolic extract of Piper betel leaves. Materials and Methods: The extract was subjected to assay for antibacterial activity using both gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains through disc diffusion method; anthelmintic activity with the determination of paralysis and death time using earthworm (Pheritima posthuma) at five different concentrations and the determination of total phenolic contents using the Folinciocalteau method. Results: The extract showed significant (p< 0.01) zone of inhibitions against gram positive Staphylococcus aureus [(6.77 +/- 0.25) mm] and Gram negative Escherichia coli [(8.53 +/- 0.25) mm], Salmonella typhi [(5.20 +/- 0.26) mm], Shigella dysenteriae [(11.20 +/- 0.26) mm] compared to positive control Azithromycin (ranging from 20.10 +/- 0.17 to 25.20 +/- 0.35 mm) while no zone inhibitory activity was found for both the extract and the standard drug against Gram positive Bacillus cereus. The extract also showed potent anthelmintic activity requiring less time for paralysis and death compared to the standard drug albendazole (10 mg/ml). At concentrations 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 mg/ml, leaves extract showed paralysis at mean time of 9.83 +/- 0.60, 8.50 +/- 0.29, 6.60 +/- 0.17, 6.20 +/- 0.44 and 4.16 +/- 0.60; death at 11.33 +/- 0.88, 9.67 +/- 0.33, 7.83 +/- 0.17, 7.16 +/- 0.60 and 5.16 +/- 0.72 minutes, respectively. Whereas the standard drug showed paralysis and death at 19.33 +/- 0.71 and 51.00 +/- 0.23 minutes respectively. The extract confirmed the higher concentration of phenolic contents (124.42 +/- 0.14 mg of GAE /g of extract) when screened for total phenolic compounds. Conclusion: As results confirmed potential antibacterial and anthelmintic activities of Piper betel leaves extract, therefore it may be processed for further drug research.