Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Efficacy of Mentha piperita (L) Ethanolic Leaf Extract against Clinical Isolates of Uropathogens

Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mentha piperita (L) leaf extract against clinical isolates of urinary tract infections.

Introduction: M. piperita L. (Peppermint) is a strongly scented herb belonging to family Lamiaceae. The plant is stimulant, aromatic and used for headache, vomiting and allaying nausea. In India the leaves are used to relieve sore throat. The most common form of bacterial infections is urinary tract infections (UTIs). They affect people of all age groups throughout their lifespan.

Methodology: The M. piperita ethanolic extract (MPEE) was prepared by cold maceration. The presence of phytoconstituents was determined using standard protocols. Clinical isolates of UTI pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from urine samples and identified by biochemical tests. The antibacterial property was determined by agar well diffusion method.

Results and Discussion: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of amino acids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins, glycosides, steroids, tannins and flavonoids. MPEE exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against tested microorganisms. The extract exhibited antibacterial activity at 1000 µg concentration against S. aureus (21.50±1.22 mm), E. coli (19.33±0.81 mm), P. aeruginosa (15.33±1.69 mm) from high to low respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration was ranged from 62.5 to 125 mg/ml.

Conclusion: The results of antibacterial studies confirm that MPEE was found to contain bioactive constituents that exhibited notable antibacterial activity. However, further isolation and characterization of phytoconstituents will be needed to evaluate the antimicrobial activities against a wider range of microbial pathogens.