Antimicrobial Potential and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Sesbania grandiflora (Linn.) Pres. Flowers in Three Different Solvents

Export Introduction: Sesbania grandiflora (Linn.) pres. is a well-known ethnomedicinal plant of the family Fabaceae. Almost every part of this plant possesses pharmacological activities. The present investigation focused on antimicrobial potential and the antioxidant capacity of this plant flowers in three different solvent extracts such as methanol, acetone, and water. Methods: Cold excerpt method is used for the preparation of the extract. The disc diffusion method is used to test the antimicrobial assay of the plant extract in three different solvents against both Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus acidophilus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) as well as fungus (Candida albicans). Two different methods, such as the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) antioxidant assay and the CUPRAC antioxidant assay, are used to test the antioxidant activity of this plant extract. Results: The maximum inhibition in methanol extract is reported against E. faecalis (+ve), against B. subtilis (+ve) in acetone extract and against C. albicans (Fungus) in water extract. In the DPPH antioxidant assay, acetone extract had shown the maximum free radical scavenging activity at the volume of 20 μL, i.e., 22.62% and minimum by methanol excerpts, i.e. 14.88%. In the CUPRAC antioxidant assay, acetone extract had shown maximum free radical scavenging activity and minimum by water excerpts. Conclusion: S. grandiflora flower extracts in three solvents show positive responses against all selected microorganisms. This plant flower extract is also very effective to scavenge free radicals.