Reviews in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Antibacterial Activity and Gc-Ms Analysis of Gouania Longispicata Eng. Root Extract Against Bacterial Pathogens
Abstract
Diriba Borena Hunde, Zelalem Abdissa, Wakshume Adugna, Negera Abdissa, Chaltu File and Desalegn Borena
This study investigates the phytochemical composition and antibacterial activity of the n-hexane root extract of Gouania longispicata, a medicinal plant traditionally used across East Africa. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC- MS) analysis identified 39 compounds (99.193% total composition), predominantly esters (92.074%), including hexadecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-methylester (28.73%), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (24.02%), and octadecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-methyl ester (13.33%). The extract demonstrated dose-dependent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, with inhibition zones ranging from 6.8 ± 0.15 mm (25 mg/mL) to 15.6 ± 0.32 mm (100 mg/mL). B. cereus exhibited the highest susceptibility, while P. aeruginosa was the least responsive. Comparative analysis revealed the root extract's superior antibacterial efficacy over leaf extracts from prior studies, likely attributable to its high ester content. Gentamicin (10 μg/disc) controls showed significantly larger inhibition zones (19.5–23.1 mm), underscoring the extract's moderate yet promising activity. The findings align with ethno medicinal claims and highlight the potential of G. longispicata root extracts as a natural antimicrobial resource, particularly against drug-resistant pathogens. Further research is warranted to isolate and characterize specific bioactive compounds for therapeutic development.