Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTI-OXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF HEMIDESMUS INDICUS (INDIAN SARASAPARILLA)

B. Kutumbarao* and Veeravilli Suryanarayana

Abstract

Alternative medicine has become popular these days as it is gaining practices across the globe. The field of alternative therapies is diverse: It encompasses practices spanning diet and exercise changes, hypnosis, chiropractic adjustment, and acupuncture. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the important forms of alternative medicine that was widely available in India.The present study mainly focuson the identification of therapeutic properties of Hemidesmus indicus. The ethanolic extract of Hemidesmus indicus roots are used for its anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activity. Hemidesmus indicus dried roots shown good anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties. The ethanolic extract of Hemidesmusindicuswas checked for anti-microbial activity against pathogenic bacteria such as E.coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas.

Keywords: Hemidesmus indicus, Antioxidant activity, Anti-microbial activity, phytochemical screening.