Studies on Antibacterial Activity of Cordia Dichotoma L. Extracts

Cordia dichotoma is a traditionally important medicinal deciduous tree widely distributed throughout India. The fruits are rich in polysaccharides and, upon ripening, develop a jelly-like sticky mucilage. In the Unani system of medicine, the plant is valued for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antitussive properties. It is also a key ingredient of Joshandah, a traditional polyherbal formulation commonly used for the treatment of the common cold, cough, catarrh, respiratory disorders, and fever. Since ancient times, the leaves and stem bark of C. dichotoma have been employed in the management of dyspepsia, fever, diarrhea, leprosy, gonorrhea, and burning sensations. The leaves are traditionally recognized for their anthelmintic, astringent, diuretic, demulcent, purgative, expectorant, tonic, anti-ulcer, and antitussive properties. Furthermore, in folk medicine, the plant has been used as an immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and anthelmintic agent.In the present study, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of the leaves, bark, and fruits of Cordia dichotoma were evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The extracts prepared using Soxhlet extraction and maceration extraction exhibited variations in the diameter of the inhibition zones against the tested bacterial strains, indicating differences in antibacterial efficacy depending on the plant part, extraction solvent, and extraction method.