Assessment of antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of Hemidesmus indicus root extracts

Abstract

The Hemidesmus indicus is used to cure leprosy, leucoderma, itching, skin disease, asthma, bronchitis, leucorrhoea, dysentery, piles, syphilis, and paralysis. The present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical and antibacterial activity of Hemidesmus indicus root. The root extracts of Hemidesmus indicus were prepared using different solvents like petroleum ether, ethanol and distilled water. The phytochemical screening of the root extracts was performed. The presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, polyphenol, saponins and terpenoids were indicated by the test conducted. The antibacterial activity of the ethanol and aqueous extract of Hemidesmus indicus root was tested by agar diffusion method. Zones of Inhibition produced by both extract in a dose of 100 and 200 mg/ml against selected strains was measured and compared with those of standard drug ciprofloxacin (10 μg/ml). Both extract recorded significant activity against all the test bacteria. The highest zones of growth inhibition were exhibited by ethanol extract against all the microorganisms compared to be aqueous extract.