Abstract:
Saponins are extensively investigated due to their pharmacological importance in treatment of cancer, diabetes, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. The role of saponins in the treatment of infectious diseases has also been explored. Their wide medicinal applications are due to variety in their structure. Novel saponins are continuously being searched for their broad spectrum activities. Corchorus depressus (family Tiliacae) have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments such as urinary disorders, urinary associated inflammation, injuries and fever. However the therapeutic potential of C. depresssus have been very less explored. In this study antimicrobial activity of various extracts of C. depresssus branches was determined using Disc Diffusion method. Phytochemical screening of the extracts was done using chemical methods. The branches of C. depresssus were found to be rich in saponins and identified as triterpenoid saponins through Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Corchorus saponins were isolated and found to be effective against various gram positive and gram negative pathogens. They also showed substantial free radicals scavenging activity. Their mechanism of action is found to be bactericidal
