Abstract
The herb <em>Acalypha indica </em>which belongs to Euphorbiaceae family has multiple medicinal properties which include anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, anti-helmintic, anti-cancerous, anti-venom, and neuro-protective activity. The present study was designed to evaluate the phytochemical, antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activity of <em>Acalypha indica </em>leaves extracts in different solvent extractions like methanol, hexane, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. Fresh leaves of the plant were collected and shade dried. Dried leaves were milled to obtain powder. Powder was subjected to soxhlet extraction using solvents and extracts were successively obtained. Phytochemical analysis was conducted following standard methods. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Alkaloids, Phenols, Saponins, Flavanoids and Amino acids. Leaf extract of methonal have shown the highest anti-oxidation capacity than hexane, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether. Anti-microbial activity has been performed on microbes like <em>Bacillus sps</em>, <em>E.coli,</em> <em>Psuedomonas sps</em> and <em>Streptococcus sps.</em> A highest value of zone of inhibition was found in methanol extract against <em>E.coli.</em> These results provide evidence that <em>Acalypha indica </em>leaf extract possesses vital phytochemicals, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Hence this plant can be studied further for drug analysis for finding potent medicines for diseases.
Highlights
Plant derived drugs have been a part of the evolution of human healthcare for thousands of years .Herbal medicines have been the basis of treatment and cure for various diseases and physiological conditions in traditional methods practiced in India such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha
Multiple drug resistance has developed in many microbes,( Bacillus sps E.coli Psuedomonas sps Streptococcus sps) which has resulted in search for new antibiotic sources
Methanol has a good affinity towards alkaloids, phenols and flavanoids and low affinity towards saponins and amino acids
Summary
Plant derived drugs have been a part of the evolution of human healthcare for thousands of years .Herbal medicines have been the basis of treatment and cure for various diseases and physiological conditions in traditional methods practiced in India such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. The most important of these bioactive constituents of plants are alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These substances are usually found in several parts of plants like root, leaf, shoot and bark. Acalypha indica flowers are green, unisexual found in catkin inflorescence. It occurs throughout tropical Africa and South Africa, in India and Sri Lanka, as well as in Yemen and Pakistan. In West Africa the leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable This plant is held in high esteem in traditional Siddha medicine as it is believed to rejuvenate the body. Taxonomic Classification of plant is Kingdom: Plantae Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Super division: Spermatophyta Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Subclass: Rosidae Order: Euphorbiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Subfamily: Acalyphoideae Genus: Acalypha Species: Acalypha indica
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