Antimicrobial properties and preliminary phytochemical analysis of different fractions of Achyranthes aspera (whole plant)

Abstract Background: Different microorganisms that are resistant to multiple drugs and the emergence of pathogenic strains that are less susceptible to medicines are steadily rising. The careless use of wide-spectrum antibiotics has been blamed for this rise. Furthermore, synthetic medications are not only costly and ineffective in treating illnesses in developing nations, but also often have adverse effects on human health. Method: In the present investigation, several solvent extracts of Achyranthes aspera (whole plant) screened for antibacterial potential against organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the agar diffusion plate method. Achyranthes aspera (whole plant) was subjected to a qualitative phytochemical analysis utilising various solvent extracts. Result: The ethanol extract of Achyranthes aspera (whole plant) fractions shown significant antibacterial activity in case of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (124 µg/ml), Staphylococcus aureus (141 µg/ml) and Candida albicans (130 µg/ml) at the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Whole plant extracts of Achyranthes aspera (ethyl acetate and chloroform) exhibited little antibacterial activity against Candida albicans. Achyranthes aspera chloroform extract was the least effective antibacterial agent against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (387 µg/ml) and ethyl acetate extract (388 µg/ml). According to qualitative analysis, the majority of whole plant extracts include almost all phytochemicals. Conclusion: The water and ethanol fraction of Achyranthes aspera demonstrated potent therapeutic antibacterial activity and presence of various phytochemicals.