The broth microdilution method was used to determine the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and the minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of all of the samples. Standard phytochemical methods were used for a preliminary phytochemical screening of the plant extracts.
Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of polyphenols, tannins, triterpenes and sterols in all of the studied extracts. Other chemical classes of secondary metabolites were selectively identified. The best antibacterial activities (MICs ranges of 64–1024 μg/mL) obtained against the 15 tested bacteria were found in extracts of leaves (93.3%), bark (86.7%) and roots (80%) of A. cordifolia as well as extracts of L. aestuans (86.7%) and P. purpureum (66.7%). The lowest MIC value of 64 μg/mL was recorded for the A. cordifolia bark extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA01.
The findings of this study provide deep insights into the possible use of the studied plants, especially A. cordifolia and L. aestuans, for the control of Gram-negative bacterial infections, especially against MDR species.