Preliminary phytochemical analysis of bark of Ficus bengalensis Linn and antibacterial activity of its bark oil.

Abstract

The bark and aerial roots and leaf buds of Ficus bengalensis Linn are used in the ayurveda for the treatment of dysentery , skin diseases, diabetes, piles,ulcers, and inflammatory swellings. Phytochemical screening of the bark showed positive tests for sterols, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins. Agar well diffusion method proved that methanolic extracts of the oil prepared from the bark posses good antibacterial activity against the tested Gram negative strain Salmonella typhymurium and has shown intermediate action against tested few Gram positive and Gram negative strains.