A Study on phytochemical and antimicrobial activity of Cardiospermum halicacabum L.

Cardiospermum halicacabum L. (Sapindaceae) commonly known as “Balloon vine” is a dioecious, hairy, climbing vine with balloon like clusters of white flowers framed by finely dissected, delicate foliage. The leaf has a bitter taste; the entire plant is used as anti-inflammatory, antibiotic against many bacteria, antiparasitic, antipyretic and as an analgesic. It is extracted with five solvents (Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extract) were tested for antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Penicillium sp., Mucor sp., Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans by disc diffusion method. Among the five extracts, aqueous extract showed maximum antibacterial and antifungal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mucor sp., Choloroform and ethyl acetate extracts were ineffective against Proteus mirabilis and Penicillium sp., Phytochemical Screening disclosed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, cardioglycosides, amino acids and proteins.