PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS, ANTIOXIDANT AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF DATURA STRAMONIUM SEEDS

The present study was concerned with phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of Datura stramonium seeds and its antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The methanolic extract was prepared by using Soxhlet apparatus. The result of phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of Datura stramonium seeds shows presence of various phytoconstituents like alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, tannins, saponins, carbohydrates and terpenoids. The methanolic extract reduced the concentration of DPPH free radical with an efficacy near to that of standard antioxidant Gallic acid, but less than BHT. The IC₅₀ value for methanolic extract was 0.82mg/ml. The Nitric oxide activity of methanolic extract was also close to the Gallic acid. The IC₅₀ value obtained for the methanolic extract was 0.70mg/ml. The antibacterial activity was detected by agar well diffusion method against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphyloceceus aureus. The zones of inhibitions obtained were recorded and analyzed against standard control of Ampicillin. The methanolic extract showed higher antibacterial activity of 24.0 mm against E.coli and least antibacterial activity of 13mm against P.aeruginosa. The present study suggests that the use of seeds of this plant may be exploited for health supplements.