Phytochemical Analysis and Antibacterial Efficacy of Mentha piperita (L) Ethanolic Leaf Extract against Clinical Isolates of Uropathogens

Aim: The present study was designed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of Mentha piperita (L) leaf
extract against clinical isolates of urinary tract infections.
Introduction: M. piperita L. (Peppermint) is a strongly scented herb belonging to family Lamiaceae.
The plant is stimulant, aromatic and used for headache, vomiting and allaying nausea. In India the
leaves are used to relieve sore throat. The most common form of bacterial infections is urinary tract
infections (UTIs). They affect people of all age groups throughout their lifespan.
Methodology: The M. piperita ethanolic extract (MPEE) was prepared by cold maceration. The
presence of phytoconstituents was determined using standard protocols. Clinical isolates of UTI
pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella
pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from urine samples and identified by
biochemical tests. The antibacterial property was determined by agar well diffusion method.
Results and Discussion: The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of amino
acids, carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins, glycosides, steroids, tannins and flavonoids. MPEE
exhibited pronounced antibacterial activity against tested microorganisms. The extract exhibited
antibacterial activity at 1000 μg concentration against S. aureus (21.50±1.22 mm), E. coli (19.33±0.81
mm), P. aeruginosa (15.33±1.69 mm) from high to low respectively. The minimum inhibitory
concentration was ranged from 62.5 to 125 mg/ml.
Conclusion: The results of antibacterial studies confirm that MPEE was found to contain bioactive
constituents that exhibited notable antibacterial activity. However, further isolation and
characterization of phytoconstituents will be needed to evaluate the antimicrobial activities against a
wider range of microbial pathogens.