Screening for antibacterial principle and activity of Aerva javanica (Burm .f) Juss. ex Schult.

Abstract Objective To investigate the antibacterial principle and activity of Aerva javanica , a medicinal plant. Methods Crude extracts of different parts of Aerva javanica were made with hexane, chloroform and methanol. Phytochemical analysis of the crude extracts was done by following the standard methodology, and antibacterial activity was evaluated by inhibition zone and MIC values. Crude extracts were resolved through HPTLC and the antibacterial activity of the separated compounds was evaluated by bioautography. Results The yields of crude extracts made from different plant parts varied both with plant part and solvent. Methanolic extracts of leaf and flower have shown a wide range of phytochemicals and more antibacterial activity. HPTLC separation of extracts coupled with bioautography studies revealed that apigenin followed by rutin and kaempferol has shown antibacterial activity against more number of bacteria. Conclusions The present study supports the use of Aerva javanica in the traditional medicine, and it can be used against bacterial infections.