Antitubercular study on stem bark of Albizia procera (ROXB.) BENTH using Microplate Alamar Blue assay (MABA)

Albizia procera commonly known as white siris is a large deciduous tree of the family Mimosideae, widely distributed throughout India. Traditionally the plant is used in convulsions, pain, delirium, cancer and septicemia. The decoction of bark is given for rheumatism, hemorrhage and is considered useful in treating pregnancy problems, for stomach ache and sinus.The preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanol extract of Albizia procera shows the presence of active constituents like flavonoids, phenolic compounds and tannins. Earlier studies show the flavonoids and phenolic compounds play major role in antitubercular activity. Based on this, we made an attempt to evaluate the antitubercular potential of this plant. The ethanolic extract and its fractions (Hexane and Ethyl acetate) were investigated for antitubercular activity using Alamar Blue dye method (MABA), in which Mycobacterium tuberculosis was sensitive upto 3.12μg/ml.The extract and fractions show better anti tubercular activity than streptomycin and potentially equal to pyrazinamide and ciprofloxacin. The observed activity may be due to the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compound which is confirmed by HPTLC. This investigation on stem bark of Albizia procera has the potential to be developed further into a natural Anti-TB drug.