Phytochemical analysis of various medicinal plants and their activity against ESKAPE strains

Medicinal plants are an important resource in traditional healthcare systems, especially in regions with limited access to modern medicine. With the growing need for alternative therapeutic agents in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, medicinal plants offer a promising source of bioactive compounds. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial activity of five medicinal plants commonly used in traditional medicine—Acalypha indica, Hibiscus rosa sinensis, Piper betel, Senna auriculata, and Solanum trilobatum against ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). Organic solvent extraction was performed using a Soxhlet apparatus with acetone, methanol, and ethanol as solvents. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, phenols, and tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in all examined plants. The results demonstrate that both aqueous and organic solvent extracts of these plants contain bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications, supporting their traditional use in treating various diseases. The findings reinforce the conventional use of these plants for treating infectious diseases and emphasize the need for continued exploration of plant-based therapeutics in modern medicine.