# Phytochemical Composition and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Salvadora persica Root Extracts Against Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

## TL;DR

This study explores the antimicrobial potential of Salvadora persica root extracts against drug-resistant bacteria, finding that chloroform and hexane extracts are most effective.

## Contribution

The study identifies and evaluates the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial efficacy of Salvadora persica root extracts against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

## Key findings

- Chloroform and hexane extracts of S. persica roots showed the highest antimicrobial activity against CRAB with MIC of 3.13 mg/mL and MBC of 12.50 mg/mL.
- GCMS analysis revealed the presence of active compounds like benzoic acid, steroids, and terpenoids in the root extracts.
- N-hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts exhibited strong antimicrobial activity due to their active phytochemical content.

## Abstract

Background

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are difficult to eradicate from the environment and are virtually immune to all antibiotics. Consequently, CRAB may culminate in severe outbreaks and fatal infections among people attending hospitals and nursing homes. Salvadora persica has been used as an herbal remedy and chewing sticks for dental cleansing. Evaluating S. persica's efficacy against CRAB may provide an alternative approach to treating CRAB infections in healthcare environments, considering its traditional application in dental hygiene. Employing S. persica as an herbal remedy could be a part of a more sustainable approach to control CRAB infections.

Aim

To investigate the phytochemical composition of S. persica and evaluate its antimicrobial properties.

Materials and methods

The roots were extracted by Soxhlet apparatus using n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol. Each extract was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and characterized using WN908.L and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) libraries. The antimicrobial activity of each extract against CRAB was evaluated using a broth microdilution assay to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).

Results

The GCMS analysis of different solvent extracts of S. persica roots showed the presence of various phytochemical compounds such as steroids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, alcohols, terpenoids, and vitamin E. Both chloroform and hexane extracts showed the most effective antimicrobial activity with a MIC value of 3.13 mg/mL and an MBC value of 12.50 mg/mL, respectively. Benzoic acid was the major phytochemical compound identified from S. persica extract. N-hexane, chloroform, and methanol extracts exhibited maximum antimicrobial activity due to the presence of active compounds in them.

Conclusion

Chloroform and hexane extracts showed the most potent antibacterial activities against CRAB.