Phytochemical Profiling, GC-MS Analysis and Antibacterial Activity of Sida acuta leave Extracts against Helicobacter pylori

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori is a major cause of ulcers, and increasing resistance to standard antibiotics underscores the need for alternative treatments. Sida acuta, a plant with medicinal properties, was examined in this study for its potential antibacterial effects. This research assessed the phytochemical profile, performed Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, and evaluated the antibacterial efficacy of Sida acuta extracts against H. pylori. Leaves of S. acuta were extracted using hexane, ethanol, and water, and their phytochemical constituents were analyzed through established qualitative and quantitative methods. The antibacterial activity of the leaf extracts was tested against H. pylori via agar well diffusion and broth dilution using various extract concentrations. GC-MS analysis was conducted to identify the bioactive compounds in each extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, and phenols in the extracts. Aqueous extracts exhibited the largest inhibition zones (20.23±0.16 mm) at 500 mg/mL, followed by ethanol (18.25±0.25 mm) and hexane (16.35±0.25 mm) extracts. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined as 62.5 mg/mL for ethanol, 125 mg/mL for water, and 250 mg/mL for hexane extracts. Bactericidal effects were observed with the ethanol and aqueous extracts at 250 mg/mL and 500 mg/mL, respectively, while hexane showed no bactericidal activity at tested concentrations. GC-MS identified 27 compounds in the ethanol extract, 20 in the aqueous extract, and 25 in the hexane extract. These findings suggest that Sida acuta possesses antibacterial properties that may be beneficial in treating ulcer-related H. pylori infections.