PHYTOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCREENING OF THREE SELECTED ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS FROM MIZORAM, INDIA

This research explores Achyranthes bidentata L., Adhatoda zeylanica and Aeginetia indica L’s pharmacological potential. Antibacterial disc assay (20 mg/ml), antifungal disc assay (20 mg/ml) and antioxidant DPPH/reducing energy assay (50 μg/ml, 100 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml) were tested for biological operations of plant extracts (aqueous, methanol and acetone leaf extracts). Significant alkaloid content (378.37 ± 35.02 mg/g) was identified in Aeginetia indica L. with the lowest tannin content in Achyranthes bidentata L. (13.37 ± 3.15 mg/mg). Aeginetia indica L. methanol extract (99.28 ± 10.47%) disclosed significant antioxidant potential (p<0.05). Significant antibacterial and antifungal activity was demonstrated against Escherichia coli (22.80 ± 5.06 mm), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (22.80 ± 5.06 mm), Bacillus subtilis (25.40 ± 5.21 mm), Candida albicans (19.40 ± 2.05 mm) and Aspergillus niger (19.80 ± 1.48 mm) from Aeginetia indica L. methanol extracts. All plant methanol extracts showed significant antibacterial activity (22.80 ± 5.06 mm – 25.40 ± 5.21 mm) and antifungal activity (19.40 ± 2.05 mm – 19.80 ± 1.48 mm) very close to standard medicines whereas radical DPPH scavenging potential (47.28 ± 1.87% – 99.28 ± 10.47%) and ferric energy reduction capability with absorbance values (0.341-0.587) are very near to normal ascorbic acid. The present research supports the comprehensive use of these plants in ethnomedicine as well as promoting elaborate in-vivo research, isolation of pure therapeutic compounds, and plant-based drug formulation.