Antimicrobial, Phytochemical Screening and GC-MS Analysis of Ruta chalepensis L. Leaves and Stems Extracts

Background: Ruta chalepensis L. is considered as a medicinal plant with many important secondary metabolites and essential oils which widely used against many diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to examine different polar extracts of Ruta chalepensis L. leaves and stems to identify different secondary metabolites, evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the prepared extracts and study the active extracts by the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Materials and Methods: The leaves and stems of R. chalepensis were extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using different solvents of varying polarity, were phytochemically screened and, also tested against bacteria namely Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella sp. and one fungus Candida albicans using diffusion method. Results: The phytochemical screen showed the presence of various secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids and coumarins. The antimicrobial assay revealed that the plant extracts exhibited efficacy against only Salmonella sp., showing resistance to other tested bacteria and fungus. The methanolic extract of leaves and stems was the most active against Salmonella sp., with a high inhibition zone (25±0) mm and (24±0) mm respectively, thus it was subjected to GC-MS analysis which exhibited the presence of approximately six and thirteen phytochemical constituents respectively. Conclusion: Both leaves and stems extract showed activity against Salmonella sp. The phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis indicate the presence of various secondary metabolites. Subsequently, the therapeutic efficacy compounds isolated and purified from Ruta chalepensis L. could be used as an important source against bacterial ailments in humans and plants.