488
auricles followed by complete atrial arrhythmia via progressive inhibition of contraction (Randrianarivo et al. 2014). Similarly, Atchibri et al. (2010) examined the
bioactive extracts of Phaseolus vulgaris seeds and revealed that saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and tannins are present as the significant functional phytochemicals. Further, the study emphasized that the
phytochemicals present in these seed extracts lead to their unique antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and antihyperglycemic effects which will be useful in
reducing cardiovascular complications (Al et al. 2010). Likewise, aqueous leaf
extract of Acacia tortilis was evaluated by injecting them into rats for 7 days. The
results revealed that the extracts contain flavonones, flavones, flavonols, coumarins,
leucoanthocynanins, anthacyanins, tannins, tertiary and quaternary alkaloids. These
phytochemicals help in reducing blood glucose, serum total cholesterol and low
density lipoprotein level which will eventually reduce diabetes related cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction (Alharbi and Azmat 2011). Apart
from other phytochemicals, the presence of isoflavone has been reported to elevate
the cardiovascular effects of plant extracts from Fabaceae family. Isoflavones are
the phytocompounds that belong to the group of flavonoids, which are present in
most of the Fabaceae plants (Peluso 2006). Thus, Table 22.3 summarizes important
isoflavones extracted from different parts of Fabaceae plants that exhibited enhanced
cardiovascular effects.
22.4.8 Antimicrobial Activities of Plants of the Family
Fabaceae: A Summary of Major Research Findings
from 2009 to 2019
Arote et al. (2009), validated the antimicrobial effects of methanol extracts, petroleum ether extract, ethyl acetate extract and chloroform extract obtained from the
leaves of Pongamia pinnata Linn, a species of tree in the pea family. The antibacterial activity was carried out using disc diffusion method against some enteric pathogenic bacteria which were Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus,
Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus
epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. The result revealed
that the methanolic extract exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity when compared to other extract used. The high antimicrobial activity might be linked to the
presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, alkaloids. Their study shows that extracts of leaves of Pongamia pinnata Linn. could be
used for the management of enteric infection.
Prakash et al. (2009) evaluated the antibacterial influence of methanolic extract
of roots of Caesalpinia pulcherrima which belong to Fabaceae family. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar cup plate techniques against methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus multi drug resistant Klebsiella pneumonia,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis. The result obtained showed
S. Das et al.
auricles followed by complete atrial arrhythmia via progressive inhibition of contraction (Randrianarivo et al. 2014). Similarly, Atchibri et al. (2010) examined the
bioactive extracts of Phaseolus vulgaris seeds and revealed that saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids and tannins are present as the significant functional phytochemicals. Further, the study emphasized that the
phytochemicals present in these seed extracts lead to their unique antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and antihyperglycemic effects which will be useful in
reducing cardiovascular complications (Al et al. 2010). Likewise, aqueous leaf
extract of Acacia tortilis was evaluated by injecting them into rats for 7 days. The
results revealed that the extracts contain flavonones, flavones, flavonols, coumarins,
leucoanthocynanins, anthacyanins, tannins, tertiary and quaternary alkaloids. These
phytochemicals help in reducing blood glucose, serum total cholesterol and low
density lipoprotein level which will eventually reduce diabetes related cardiovascular complications such as myocardial infarction (Alharbi and Azmat 2011). Apart
from other phytochemicals, the presence of isoflavone has been reported to elevate
the cardiovascular effects of plant extracts from Fabaceae family. Isoflavones are
the phytocompounds that belong to the group of flavonoids, which are present in
most of the Fabaceae plants (Peluso 2006). Thus, Table 22.3 summarizes important
isoflavones extracted from different parts of Fabaceae plants that exhibited enhanced
cardiovascular effects.
22.4.8 Antimicrobial Activities of Plants of the Family
Fabaceae: A Summary of Major Research Findings
from 2009 to 2019
Arote et al. (2009), validated the antimicrobial effects of methanol extracts, petroleum ether extract, ethyl acetate extract and chloroform extract obtained from the
leaves of Pongamia pinnata Linn, a species of tree in the pea family. The antibacterial activity was carried out using disc diffusion method against some enteric pathogenic bacteria which were Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus,
Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus vulgaris, Staphylococcus
epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus subtilis. The result revealed
that the methanolic extract exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity when compared to other extract used. The high antimicrobial activity might be linked to the
presence of saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, alkaloids. Their study shows that extracts of leaves of Pongamia pinnata Linn. could be
used for the management of enteric infection.
Prakash et al. (2009) evaluated the antibacterial influence of methanolic extract
of roots of Caesalpinia pulcherrima which belong to Fabaceae family. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated using agar cup plate techniques against methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus multi drug resistant Klebsiella pneumonia,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis. The result obtained showed
S. Das et al.