Screening of Saudi Plants for Phytoconstituents, Pharmacological and Antimicrobial Properties

One hundred and fifty Saudi plants were collected from various regions of Saudi Arabia, tested for phytochemical constituents and screened for pharmacological and antimicrobial activities. The majority of the plants tested positive for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and sterols/triterpenes. Chloroform and ethanol extracts, sequentially extracted, were used for the pharmacological and antimicrobial activities. Five plants, Atractylis carduus, Calotropis procera, Cleome chrysantha, Cocculus pendulus and Conyza incana were found highly toxic to animals, with a shared significant neuromuscular blocking activity. Nine plants markedly lowered blood pressure, while significant central nervous system (CNS) depression was produced by four plants, and thirteen plants exhibited a cardiac stimulating effect. Eleven extracts of six plants produced highly significant antimicrobial activity with MICs of 0.125 mg/mL or lower. Some of the active plants could be good candidates for further exploration for biological activities.

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