Exploration of Antibacterial and Antioxidant Potential of Eclipta prostrata Leaf Extract

Background: Eclipta prostrate also recognized as Bhringaraja is an annual herbaceous plant, commonly known as king of hairs. It is an erect or prostrate, much branched, roughly hairy, annual, rooting at the nodes; the leaves are opposite, sessile and lanceolate belonging to family Asteraceae. This plant is a significant medicinal plant in the tropical and subtropical areas. It is broadly used in treating different diseases of skin, liver and stomach in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and other countries. Methods: The main aim of this work was to collect and analyze the available information on traditional uses, phytoconstituents and biological activities of E. prostrata. Eclipta prostrata L. methanol extract was evaluated for its phytochemical compounds, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and antibacterial activity. Result: Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, steroids, glycoproteins and volatile oil the total saponin content was found to be 84.175 ± 0.575 in mg/g equivalent of diosgenin. The results of antioxidant activity measured by the FRAP method revealed stronger reducing power of the extract. Further antibacterial activity was observed against K. pneumoniae and S. aureus in potential of inhibiting the tested microorganisms. Crude methanolic extract of E. prostrate recorded a minimum inhibitory concentration of 2 mg/ml. The results of current study suggested that antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity could be due to polyphenols, however chiefly by various active compounds or substances present in the extract. Further isolation, characterization and identification of the potential phytochemical compound from crude extract needs to be addressed.