PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIBACTERIAL AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF COMMELINA NUDIFLORA (COMMELINACEAE)

The present study was carried out to study the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of Commelina nudiflora extracts and to analyze the extracts for secondary metabolites. Chloroform, acetone and ethanolic extracts o f Commelina nudiflora were screened for tannins, phlobatannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, cardiac glycosides, and steroids. Antibacterial activity was carried out by Minimum Inhibito ry Concentration (MIC) and antioxidant assay was carried out using 1,1 - diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and total antioxidant activity. Flavonoids present in all extracts. Acetone and ethanolic extr acts exhibited antibacterial activity. All extracts showed significant antioxidant activity. All extracts showed concentration dependent antioxidant activity. Ethanolic extract showed high antioxidant activity against DPPH with IC 50 11.25 mg/ml. The total antioxidant activity was high in chloroform extract with IC 50 0.1282 mg/ml. The results show Commelina nudiflora has potential antioxidants that can fight against life threatening diseases like inflammation, cancer etc.