Morpho-Anatomical, Fluorescent characteristic, Phytochemical and Antibacterial studies of Phyllanthus myrtifolius and Phyllanthus reticulatus of Kerala

Abstract

Two species of Phyllanthus ie P.myrtifolius and P.reticulatus were selected for their Morpho-anatomical, Fluorescent characteristic, Phytochemical and Antibacterial studies. Although the fundamental characters remained same, there were many small differences in their morpho-anatomical characters especially the colour of the fruit, the number of tepals, the outline of stem, presence of ridges and furrows, presence or absence of pith etc. The stomata was paracytic in P.myrtifolius while the stomata was anisocytic in P.reticulatus. The stem outline was rounded in P.myrtifolius while it was angular in P.reticulatus. Ridges and furrows were present in P.myrtifolius while it was absent  in P.reticulatus.  Hyaline epidermal hairs emerges out from the stem in P.myrtifolius while it was absent in P.reticulatus. Small lens shaped thick walled pith was present in P.myrtifolius while large pith was recorded in P. reticulatus. The study of their powder extracts brings to light several distinguishing characters which enable us to differentiate between the two species. Fluorescent characteristics of the plant powders were studied, but it revealed the complete absence of fluorescence in both the plant powder  extracts. Phytochemical analysis  revealed that both the plants possessed secondary metabolites which  have strong pharmacological properties and  can be utilized for medicinal purposes. P.myrtifolius less commonly used as a medicinal plant exhibited at several instances, more appreciable antibacterial results when compared to P.reticulatus against S.aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus vulgaris and E coli  bacteria and produced inhibition zones of 20mm,18mm,17mm and 15mm respectively and the leaf extracts has greater antibacterial potency than either stem or root extracts.