Extraction of phytochemicals and study of its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of Helicteres isora L.

Abstract Background Herbal medicines are used for the treatment of many infectious diseases throughout the history of mankind. The increasing antibiotic resistance exhibited by microorganisms has led to the phytochemical screening of medicinal plants for antimicrobial activity. Many infections can be treated by phytochemicals possessing potent antibacterial efficiency. The pharmacological activities of any plant is because of the presence of primary metabolites, secondary metabolites and its secretary products, comprising the phenolic compounds, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavanoids, steroids, etc. Helicteres isora L. is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine. The root and bark are expectorant, demulcent, astringent to the bowels, antigalactagogue, lessen gripping; a cure for scabies when applied topically. Method Soxhlet extraction or hot continuous extraction: In this method, finely ground sample was placed in thimble chamber of the Soxhlet apparatus. Extraction solvents was heated in the bottom flask, vaporizes into the sample thimble, condenses in the condenser and drip back. When the liquid content reaches the siphon arm, the liquid contents emptied into the bottom flask again and the process is continued. Gram positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus NCIM 2079, Gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli NCIM 2109, Fungi (Yeast) Candida albicans NCIM 3471, Fungi (Mould) Aspergillus niger NCIM 545 are used as reference Strain for antimicrobial activity. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH method. Result Chloroform Extracts of leaves, Stem and fruits of Helicteres isora L. exhibited potent antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Aspergillus, niger. The stem extract showed highest antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli with zone of inhibition of 19.24 mm and leaves lowest activity against Candida albicans with zone of inhibition of 11.26 mm. Antioxidant activity was tested by DPPH method. Conclusion The use of herbal crude drugs, in tracts and their remedies have significantly increased throughout the world. Efforts must be made to ensure safe, effective and affordable treatments for wide range of diseases by traditional methods which use locally available medicinal plants. The scientific and authentic researches on these aspects are to be done in order to exploit traditional knowledge of medicinal plants.