Analysis of phytochemical, antimicrobial and free radical scavenging activity of bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) & neem (Azadirachta indica) medicinal plants of Hazaribag

Abstract

Bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria) belongs to the gourd family of cucurbita has been used traditionally in medications, Neem (Azadirachta indica) commonly known as Indian lilac belongs to Meliaceae family has been used by ayurvedic practitioners for anthelmintic, antifungal, sedative etc. Since the two plants harbour important secondary metabolites, the phytochemical properties of the plants were compared and different solvents systems polar as well as non polar was used for the extract preparation, which yielded similar as well as different findings. Upon the presence of secondary metabolites, antimicrobial and free radical scavenging attributes of the two plants were also studied. A reflection of plant as a source of important primary and secondary metabolites was analysed. The presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, steroids and few other secondary metabolites were common findings which fluctuated according to the solvent used and also with the plant part that was used for sample preparation i.e. Leaves, stem, fruit etc.