Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of Adhatoda vasica L. Nees

Abstract

Plant Adhatoda vasica L. Nees (Acanthaceae) commonly known as Malabar nut is an evergreen two – three m tall shrub, sometime used as hedge, branches opposite and stem yellowish. Leaves simple, 10-20 cm long and 3 to 7.5 cm or sometime much more broad, elliptical, ovate-lanceolate, and tapering towards apex. Inflorescence terminal or sub terminal spikes, flowers white bilabiate and fruits two-valve capsule, which dehisces when mature, or dry. The plant leaves, bark and root known for traditional medicinal use in Ayurveda. The plant parts generally bitter and useful in cough, bronchitis, asthma, skin disease, eczema and scabies. The leaves extensively employed in preparations indicated in respiratory ointments and particularly in cough syrups. An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfer electrons from a substance to oxidizing agent oxidation reaction can produce free radicals, which start chain reaction that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates and other oxidation reaction by being oxidize themselves. In present investigation preliminary antioxidants evaluated from the experimental plant and antimicrobial sensitivity test carried out against some human pathogenic microbial strains to support out the potential compounds of pharmacognostic interest.