Abstract
Adiantum capillus veneris (ACV) and Pteris quadriureta (PQ), two common ferns belonging to Pteridophyta family, has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine against numerous human ailments since ancient times. This study was designed to analyse the presence of various phytochemicals in the ACV and PQ leaves and their pharmacological activities. The methanol extract of ACV and PQ leaves was screened for the presence of various primary and secondary metabolites such as proteins, lipids, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, and tannins. Anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities were also analysed for methanolic extracts of ACV and PQ leaves using various methods. Various metabolites such alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, saponins and tannins in the ACV and PQ leaves were found. Phenols and flavonoids were present in high concentration when compared with other metabolites. The results also showed that methanolic extracts of ACV and PQ leaves have anti-oxidant, anti-haemolytic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities. The pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-haemolytic, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities of ACV and PQ leaves might be due to the presence of phenols and flavonoids. Key words: Adiantum capillus veneris, Pteris quadriureta, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, phytochemicals.  
Highlights
Inverse correlations between antioxidant status and human diseases such as cancer, aging, neurodegenerative disease and atherosclerosis have been reported (Halliwell, 1997; Fusco et al, 2007; Malliaraki et al, 2003; Rajendran et al, 2014)
Since the yield percentage of methanol was higher than that of other solvents used, methanolic extracts of Adiantum capillus veneris (ACV) and Pteris quadriureta (PQ) leaves were used for further experiments
Several primary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, and alkaloids, and secondary metabolites including coumarins, terpenoids, diterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins and steroids were found in the extracts of ACV and PQ (Table 2)
Summary
Inverse correlations between antioxidant status and human diseases such as cancer, aging, neurodegenerative disease and atherosclerosis have been reported (Halliwell, 1997; Fusco et al, 2007; Malliaraki et al, 2003; Rajendran et al, 2014). Many plant-derived non-nutritive compounds and dietary natural compounds present in food materials have been reported to possess antioxidant properties. In recent years, the researchers are more interested to investigate the pharmacological behaviour of medicinal plants including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Adiantum capillus veneris (ACV), a common fern belonging to Pteridophyta family, has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine against numerous human ailments since ancient times (Pandey and Rizvi, 2009; Pandey et al, 2013; Ahmed et al, 2012).
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