Phytochemical analysis antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic studies of some west Himalayan bryophytes

Abstract

Seven species of bryophytes, Pellia endiviifolia Dicks., Plagiochasma appendiculatum Lehm. et Lindenb., Conocephalum conicum (L.) Dum., Dumortiera hirsuta (Sw.) Nees, Atrichum undulatum (Hedw.) P. Beauv., Mnium cuspidatum Hedw. and Brachythecium rutabulum (Hedw.) Schimp. were investigated. FTIR and GC-MS analysis of bryophytes revealed various bioactive molecules. Among the studied phytochemicals, phenols showed the highest content. Best antimicrobial activity was exhibited by the methanol extract of P. appendiculatum and the ethanol extract of D. hirsuta against E. coli, and by the butanol extract of A. undulatum against Candida tropicalis. Butanol extract combined with Amphotericin B against fungal species showed additive effect. Cytotoxic effects of bioactive extracts revealed the cell wall damage of micro-organisms in SEM and Confocal images, whereas Flow cytometry analysed bacterial and fungal cell death quantitatively. newline